Prayer Part 9: Pray like Jesus

1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said:

Beginning his ministry - preparation Matthew 4:1-2

Matthew 4:1–2 NIV

1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

In the wilderness, this was for preparation, seeking God’s will.

Mark 1:35 NIV

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Luke 5:12 NIV

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Alone - fellowship and rejuvenation Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16; Luke 9:18

To prepare for the day. After healing people for renewal. In a solitary place, with just Him and God. We also see this later, praying alone before Peter's confession Luke 9:18.

Luke 6:12–16 NIV

12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: 14 Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

All night - wisdom for a decision Luke 6:12-16

Before choosing the Twelve for wisdom.

Matthew 11:25–26 NIV

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

Speaking to religious leaders - thanks for God’s wisdom Matthew 11:25-26

Thanking God for His wisdom in offering salvation to the humble, children.

John 6:11 NIV

11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Before feeding the 5,000 - thanks for food John 6:11 (the 4,000 Matthew 15:36)

Matthew 14:23 NIV

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,

Alone on a mountainside - renewal Matthew 14:23

It was an exhausting day. Before walking on the water. Do you spend time with God alone? Is that a priority? If we want to hear from Him we should.

John 5:19 NIV

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

Mark 7:31–37 NIV

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. 36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Healing a deaf and mute man - for healing Mark 7:31-37

He prayed for what God would do for the man’s ears.

Luke 9:29 NIV

29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

The Transfiguration - guidance Luke 9:29

Luke 10:21 NIV

21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

The return of the seventy - thanks for God’s wisdom and plan. Luke 10:21

God’s plan was working through the disciples. He praised God for what God did through the 70.

Luke 11:1 NIV

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

With His disciples - modeling prayer Luke 11:1

Before teaching his disciples the Lord's Prayer

John 11:41–42 NIV

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”

Before raising Lazarus - to honor the Father John 11:41-42

He prayed out loud so others would know it was the Father who empowered Him.

Matthew 19:13–15 NIV

13 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

For children - to bless them. Matthew 19:13-15

Would you like God to bless your kids?

John 12:28 NIV

28 Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

His soul was troubled - to do the right thing. John 12:28

He prayed he continue on His difficult path. He prayed that the Father to glorify the Father’s name

Matthew 26:26 NIV

26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

During the Lord’s Supper - giving thanks. Matthew 26:26

Luke 22:32 NIV

32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

For the disciples - that their faith would not fail. Luke 22:32

Before Satan attacked the disciple and Peter in particular.

John 17:1 NIV

1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.

John 17:11 NIV

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.

In Gethsemane - Protection and unity John 17

Protection and unity with the Father, Jesus and the Spirit .

Mark 14:32 NIV

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”

Mark 14:36 NIV

36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

In Gethsemane - to prepare to suffer and die. Mark 14:32-42

Luke 23:34 NIV

34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

On the cross - forgiveness for his executioners Luke 23:34

Mark 15:34 NIV

34 And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

On the cross - crying out in despair. Mark 15:34

Luke 23:46 NIV

46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

On the cross - giving up His life. Luke 23:46

Luke 24:30 NIV

30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.

With disciples in Emmaus - giving thanks for food Luke 24:30

Luke 24:50–53 NIV

50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. 52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

Before his ascension - to bless the disciples Luke 24:50-53

Romans 8:34 NIV

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Hebrews 7:25 NIV

25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

1 John 2:1 NIV

1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.