Sermon Central
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Prayer Life Of Jesus Series
Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Jul 2, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: The very simple parameter to know the will of God for your daily life actions and decisions is, even after your fervent prayer, if you still struggle to go ahead with your decision which is the clear parameter that it’s not the will of God.
Mark 1:35-39, Prayer Life of Jesus
Greetings:
The Lord is Good, his love endures forever.
Introduction:
It is said that Satan is afraid of the knees that bend before God. He is not bothered by people who do not pray. He does not bother about the singers, and preachers but only the prayer warriors. The prayer life of Jesus is amazing to understand.
Jesus spends hours together in Prayer stations. He spent time in the mornings, evenings, midday, and all night. The words "prayer" and "pray" are used at least twenty-five times in connection with Jesus by the Gospel writers. The following three things come to my thought about the prayer life of Jesus.
Jesus prayed to have communion with God, Jesus prayed to have compassion for the creation and Jesus prayed to Contemplate the will of God. Let us meditate one by one.
1. To have Communion with God
Jesus was passionate! Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer. Gospels do not share with us the entire prayer life of Jesus but glimpses are found in it.
Jesus spent time with God on daily basis. According to Mark 1:35, Jesus got up early morning while it was yet dark, he went out to a desolate place and prayed. Though it was a busy day Jesus withdrew to a desolate place and prayed (Luke 5:15-16). Jesus did not say, ‘today, I am so busy and I missed my prayers’. Jesus prayed late afternoon after feeding the 5000 thousand (Matthew 14:23).
Throughout history, God has looked for those willing to yield everything to Him and His desire to redeem a world. At times God has marveled that no one was willing to go with Him (Isaiah 63:5, 59:16).
Why did Jesus pray? Any devout Jewish man would have an active prayer life, and regular daily prayers at the prescribed times (the third, sixth, and ninth hours) (AnnMarie Anderson, 2020). Jesus prayed as an example to his followers. The Incarnation consists of both divine and human natures. As One of the Trinity had communication with others. So, it was a communion with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the Gospels whenever we read of Jesus and his prayer, it comes up regularly and naturally. Jesus did not pray in a cold, distant manner, but in heartfelt supplication, demonstrating empathy and a genuine love for God (Robert Velarde, 2008).
Jesus used to pray alone, and sometimes along with the disciples. Once he “took Peter, John, and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28).
Jesus' prayers came with vehement cries and tears and, ‘because of his godly fear, He was heard by the Father."(Hebrews 5:7). Jesus was wrestling in the Spirit with passion and fervency. Jesus never gave up, and He doesn't want us to give up in prayer (Luke 18:1). Even, in Heaven, He is praying always and intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25).
2. To have Compassion for the creation
Jesus is identical to one great attribute known as Compassion. He is a compassionate person. He always moved with compassion because of his prayer life.
Jesus moved with compassion seeing the MULTITUDES without a shepherd, without food, without healing (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, Mark 6:34). “But when he saw the MULTITUDES, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, Mark 6:34). ‘And Jesus went forth, and saw a great MULTITUDE, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.’ (Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34, 8:2). ‘And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the PEOPLE because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”’ (Matthew 15:32).
Jesus moved with compassion for suffering INDIVIDUALS, a leper, widow, and fatherless (Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13, John 11:35). ‘And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.’ (Mark 1:40-42). When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” (Luke 7:13). Jesus wept (John 11:35).’ “Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20.32-34). Jesus prayed for his disciples (John 17:7), and Jesus prayed for Simon, so that his faith may not fail (Luke 22:32)
By birth, we are wicked, we are senseless, and we are self-centered. We have jealous, we hate one another. We are upset with each other’s progress and prosperity. We are basically evil beings because of the fall.
Jesus came into that world of hatred and animosity; though he shared the nature of the flesh and its attributes, he was different (Romans 8:3). He was tempted like all of us not to love, to be self-centered, to rebel, to hate, and to destroy (Hebrews 2:17-18).
