Praying Like Jesus
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’
Matthew 6:9-13
Who do you put more stock in, someone who tells you what to do, and doesn’t do it, or someone who DOES what he tells you to do?
When it comes to prayer, Jesus put into practice what He preached.
“The words “prayer” and “pray” are used at least twenty-five times in connection with Him, and there are many instances in which the fact of His praying is mentioned where the words do not occur. His praying is mentioned by each of the four evangelists. The life of Christ had many marked characteristics, but nothing is more marked than His prayerfulness.” (Whatthebibleteaches.com)
In the “Lord’s prayer” Jesus taught us how to pray. When did Jesus pray?
- Often: “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Luke 5:16
- Early in the morning:
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
Mark 1:35
Early in the morning, it’s dark and cold… I don’t want to get up, I would rather sleep in. But, Jesus didn’t yield to that temptation.
Jesus modeled the way to begin your day.
- All night prayer:
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them, He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:”
Luke 6:12-13
Important decisions? Sometimes it takes an all-night prayer.
- After work: “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23 When Jesus finished teaching and healing, He took time to pray.
When is the best time to pray? All the time!
“pray without ceasing;”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
