The Prayer Life of Christ…
Rev. Bruce A. Shields DD
House of Faith Ministries
401 East Franklin
East Tawas, MI. 48730
www.PS127.org
There are approximately 17 references in the Gospels to Jesus and His prayer life. He is showing us in the scriptures just how important communication with the Father really is.
• He prayed often, He prayed early in the morning, late at night, all through the night.
• He prayed before critical events in His life.
• He prayed as He ministered to others.
• He prayed before His miracles.
• And He prayed for others.
If communicating with the Father was that important to Jesus, shouldn’t it be a priority for us?
When did Jesus Pray:
Early in the Morning (KJV Mark 1:35)
35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Late at Night (KJV Luke 6:12)
12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Often (KJV Luke 5:16)
16. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Naturally (KJV Luke 22:39, 40)
39. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Critical Moments
At critical moments in your life, what do you do? Jesus prayed! From the beginning of His public ministry to the end, Jesus prayed at every critical moment of His life.
Jesus prayed at the beginning of His ministry. . .
(KJV Luke 3:21-22)
21. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Jesus prayed before He chose the men who would carry on His ministry after his death. . .
(KJV Luke 6:12-13)
12. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. 13. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
Jesus prayed before the confession that He was the Christ. . .
(KJV Luke 9:18-20)
18. And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? 19. They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
Jesus prayed before His Transfiguration . . .
(KJV Luke 9:28-29)
28. And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Jesus prayed before the cross . . .
(KJV Luke 22:39-42)
39. And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Jesus prayed on the cross . . .
(KJV Luke 23:34)
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Prayer and Ministry:
When God gives you an opportunity to serve Him what do you do first? Jesus prayed! From the beginning of His public ministry to the end, Jesus demonstrated dependence upon His Father by praying before, during, and after He ministered to people.
Jesus prayed before He began His public ministry. . .
(KJV Luke 3:21-22)
21. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Jesus prayed before He taught His followers. . .
(KJV Luke 11:1)
1. And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
He prayed while He was teaching others. . .
(KJV Matthew 11:25-26)
25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
(KJV Matthew 15:36)
36. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
(KJV Matthew 19:13)
13. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
He prayed after He ministered to others. . .
(KJV Matthew 14:23)
23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Prayer and Miracles:
Jesus prayed before healing the crowds. . .
(KJV Mark 1:35)
35. And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Jesus prayed before He fed over 5,000 people.
(KJV Mark 6:41)
41. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
Jesus prayed before healing the man who was deaf and mute. . .
(KJV Mark 7:34)
34. And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
Jesus prayed before bringing the dead back to life . . .
(KJV John 11:41-43)
41. Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
Prayer for others:
Do you regularly pray for others? Jesus did! Begin today by following His example!
Jesus prayed for His friends. . .
(KJV Luke 22:32)
32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Jesus prayed for His disciples. . .
(KJV John 17:9-16)
9. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Jesus prayed for all Christians. . .
(KJV John 17:20)
20. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross. . .
(KJV Luke 23:34)
34. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus represents us to the Father at Heaven’s throne. . .
(KJV Hebrews 7:25)
25. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
(Note: Jesus’ intercession is His representation of His people at the throne of God. Those who have a relationship with Christ, are able to draw near to God in prayer because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.)
