Key Texts: Ephesians 6:18; John 17; Matthew 14:1-23; Luke 6:12; Luke 5:1-16; Mark 6:46; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34
Additional Texts: Mark 6; Luke 9:28; Luke 22: 32; John 6:1-27; Luke 23:34, 46; Mark 15:34
Some years ago, my niece, who was in her early years at the time, asked a very thoughtful question during a visit to a family friend (who has now gone home to be with the Lord). At the time, our family friend’s health was not the greatest, and she was confined to a wheelchair, though this did not destroy her resolve to be joyful and enjoy life. Indeed, she had invited us and other guests to (another!) of her exciting dinner parties, which we were only too happy to attend. As we gathered around her to pray before we left, my niece whispered and asked if we could actually pray for her wheelchair. Certainly – we agreed that she could, and that attitude to prayer and faith stuck with me – it reminded me that we may indeed approach God about everything. She prayed confidently, learning to have faith and believing that our family friend’s wheelchair would continue to work without any defects.
My niece’s request was adorable, but also challenged me. If we are honest, sometimes we don’t pray consistently, or we don’t feel we might approach God about everything (for varied reasons). In this instalment of the ‘Show and Tell’ series, Jesus’ attitude to prayer invites us to imitate His fervency and persistence. As He walked the earth, on numerous occasions, Jesus prayed. He is a part of the Trinity, yet He submitted to His Father and spent much time communicating with Him; His dependence on God, resulting in miracles and success in His earthly ministry, reminds us to prioritise time with Him to face life’s demands and challenges. For followers of Christ, this should be an obvious routine, but as mentioned before, we often fall short of the mark. If we are not careful, our schedules, personal circumstances, or commitments may become distractions from time with God.
Despite this tendency, (especially within busy lifestyles), and the demands of His ministry, Jesus’ dedication to prayer as seen in the Key and Additional texts demonstrates the importance and benefits of consistency; He truly is the Intercessor depicted in Hebrews 7: 25 and Romans 8: 34. How can we be assured that He is? There are several Scriptures which depict His prayer life. At the start of His public ministry, He fasted and prayed; His responses with the Word to the temptations He faced, discipline and obedience, depict the foundation for the successful ministry He had (Matthew 4: 1 – 17). Indeed, He foreknew the demands, needs, resistance, hate and false accusations He’d face, and through prayer, consecrated Himself in preparation. Before He chose the twelve disciples, (including the necessary betrayer!), He prayed (Luke 6: 12). Jesus also prayed before miracles such as Lazarus’ resurrection, mainly to build the faith of onlookers (John 11: 41 – 42). In a similar way, He prayed a blessing on the fish and bread, which subsequently multiplied to feed the crowds (Matthew 14: 15 – 21). Indeed, even after this miracle and interactions with thousands, He did what He ultimately seemed to set out to do from the moment He heard the news about John the Baptist’s death (Matthew 14: 13). The crowd’s needs moved Him to compassion, which delayed His prayers on this occasion (Matthew 14: 14), but as soon as He had the opportunity, He went away to pray.
Though Jesus spent a lot of time alone praying, He also taught the disciples explicitly about prayer and modelled it for them; principles for sincerity in prayers (and fasting) were the topic of His sermon in Matthew 6: 1 – 18. In Luke 9: 28 – 36, He took His earthly inner circle (Peter, James and John) to a mountain to pray. During this time, they observed God’s presence in a magnificent way, compelling us to seek Him so we too might see His glory through prayer.
Additionally, in some of His lowest moments on earth (such as the agonising time in the Garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion), Jesus dedicated His time to hearing from the Father, and expressing His deepest emotions to Him (John 17). His prayers in the Garden reveal His desire for God’s will to be done, even if (in His temporary humanity), He wanted to avoid the associated suffering. He agonised about Calvary and prayed vehemently to avoid it, but God denied this request. This may be the last thing we want to hear when God seems silent, but it could potentially help us to gain appropriate perspectives. God did not spare His own Son from a painful experience which brought Him glory, even though He prayed. This does not mean that He is unkind or exacting, but rather that His ways are mysterious and sovereign to accomplish His will for us (Romans 8: 32).
In Gethsemane, not only do we see Jesus’ commitment to spend time in prayer, but through His prayer life, His submission and compassion are evident. John 17 highlights His prayers for God’s will above His desire to escape the imminent suffering. Despite the reality of His crucifixion, in those moments, He also prayed for His disciples, knowing they would face persecution; He presented them to His Father as chosen, loved and accepted, affirming His deep regard for them. His prayers were not for God to save them from the world, but rather to keep them in it. Likewise, He prayed for unity, (sincere!) love and faithfulness in those who the disciples’ ministry would reach in the near and distant future – I’m thankful for those prayers as they sustain me in moments of strength and more so when I feel overwhelmed!
Even more compelling was Jesus’ love when He spent His final moments on the cross, commending His Spirit to His Father, and praying for forgiveness for those who had sinned against Him (while they were still indulged in their taunts against Him!). He was conscious that regardless of His state, He needed peace and communion with God, without whom His purpose would not have been fulfilled. Even though His key mission of salvation was completed on His death, burial and resurrection, as mentioned earlier, Jesus has become our daily Intercessor, pleading for God’s mercy on us. Wow.
I admire Jesus’ prayer life, and I’m fully aware that it is a model for me, but as previously stated, I’m still work in progress to be as consistent as He was. Sometimes concerns precede or replace prayer, or busyness distracts us from it. If you’re like me in this area, let us strive to pray in all seasons like He did. When we answer God’s call for our lives. Before major decisions. During trials. When we’re betrayed. When we’re wrongly accused and resented for who we are in Christ – though Jesus had not harmed His accusers, oh the hate He endured (and so will we!). In adversity, and likewise on joyous occasions. In the middle of harassment and torture. In our final moments on this side of eternity (if we have this opportunity). Praying in all seasons is no small feat, but at least we might begin somewhere and like all other areas of our lives, remember our small beginnings! (Zechariah 4: 10).
Prayer is communication with God – it involves talking , as well as listening through His Word. It is more than requests or lofty Jacobean language (thees and thous!) – it is also an act or lifestyle of dependence, rooted in faith, without which we cannot please God (Hebrews 11: 6). If you desire to spend time with God, why not talk to Him for a moment, a minute, or five today? He hears when you balance talking to Him with hearing from Him, but also when you have absolutely no words; He sees the faith behind it whether you are struggling or thriving. Pray because He invites you to do so. Pray because the faith required for prayers pleases God. Pray because consistency in prayer produces significant results, (James 5: 16), even when they are not quite what we anticipate. Pray because it makes the enemy of our souls weak (James 4: 7). He hears.
Heartfelt Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the privilege of talking to You directly. I want to be consistent in prayer, as Jesus was on earth. Please help me during all seasons to remember Jesus’ faithfulness in prayer, and to grow in consistency. I ask these mercies in Your Son’s – Jesus’ name.
