As Christians, we ought to be a prayerful people. The Scriptures, both in the Old and New Testaments, teach us the importance of prayer—both by exhortation and example (cf. Deut. 4:29; Ps. 50:15; 91:15; Isa. 55:6; Jer. 33:3; Lk. 18:1; 1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:8; Jam. 5:13–16; 1 Jn. 5:16).
Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, taught about the necessity of prayer (cf. Lk. 18:1), the manner of prayer (Matt. 5:24; 6:16–18; 7:7; Mk. 11:24–26; 13:33; Jn. 15:7), and the benefits of prayer (Matt. 7:8–11; 21:22; 26:41; Lk. 21:36; Jn. 15:16). He also gave an illustration as to how we ought to pray (Matt. 6:9–15). Moreover, Jesus assured us of His presence when brethren meet to discuss and pray according to His counsels, about matters or problems that would arise in the church (Matt. 18:18–20).
Jesus is our supreme Example. He was in the habit of praying alone, with His disciples, and with others, whenever it was necessary or deemed fit to Him. Though He was full of grace and glory, truth and might, He humbly prayed. He prayed to praise the Father (Lk. 10:21; Jn. 11:41), to yield to the Father’s will (Lk. 22:42), and to seek the Father’s aid for Himself and the people around Him (Jn. 12:27; Lk.22:32; 23:34; Jn 17:9, 15).
We must emulate Christ’s example in our lives and ministries, that we may effectively fulfil the Father’s will concerning us. Here are some examples of Christ’s prayer patterns:
Christ prayed alone:
- “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mk. 1:35).
- “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed” (Lk. 5:16).
- “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” (Lk. 6:12).
- “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…” (Lk 22:31–32).
- Matthew 26:39–44 records Jesus’ praying in Gethsemane prior to His arrest and crucifixion (cf. Mk. 14:32–42).
Christ prayed with and for others
The following verses show us that Christ prayed while others were with Him.
- “And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him…” (Lk. 9:18).
- “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” (Lk. 11:1).
- “…he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Lk. 9:28–29).
- John 17 records Christ’s pastoral prayer for His disciples (who were with Him), as well as for all the future believers (vv. 1–26).
Christ prayed in public before people who gathered around Him
- Jesus prayed before John the baptizer and others at His baptism—“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened” (Lk. 3:21).
- Immediately after His upbraiding of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, Jesus prayed to His Father, which was meant to be heard by prospective believers—“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. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight” (Matt. 11:25–26).
- Before the seventy who returned to Christ, He expressed His joy in the form of a prayer of praise and adoration, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him” (Lk. 10:21–22).
- Jesus “gave thanks” to God (eucharistéō—Mk 8:6; Jn. 6:11) and “blessed” (eulogéō—Matt 14:19; Mk. 6:41; 8:7; Lk. 9:16) before thousands of people as He was about to provide food for them.
- At the grave of Lazarus, before all gathered there, He prayed—“And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 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” (Jn. 11:41–42).
- Before the Jews and Greeks who gathered around, Jesus prayed as his heart was troubled—“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name” (Jn. 12:27–28a).
- From the cross, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk. 23:34).
A note of clarification here. Jesus did warn against hypocrisy in prayer, especially against the public display of piety with long and ritualistic prayers. He said, “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward” (Matthew 6:5). Some overly-reactive believers have used this warning of Jesus as a reason to renounce all public prayer. But neither the Lord nor the Scriptures ever taught against praying in public. As shown above, Christ often prayed in the presence of His disciples and in public. The Scriptural records also abundantly show that many godly men of the Old and New Testaments prayed in public. Rather, what we all should avoid is praying hypocritically, whether public or private. It is not an outward display of piety that God desires, but our hearts’ humility, repentance, and faith.
(God willing, next week, we will look at the prayer pattern of the early New Testament Church.)
