Where Did Jesus Pray

Prayers of Jesus – Wikipedia

Josef Untersberger’s painting Christ on the Mount of Olives is a masterpiece. In the canonical gospels, Jesus Christ is described as praying to God on a number of different occasions.

Recorded prayers

The following are the phrases that Jesus uttered in prayer, according to the gospels:

We express our gratitude to God for his revelation (Matthew 11:25
Luke 10:21)
Before reviving Lazarus from the dead (John 11:41-42), Jesus said, “Father, exalt your name” (John 12:28). In John 17, he prays for us. Threeprayers in the Garden of Gethsemane
Threeprayers on the Cross
Threeprayers in the Garden of Gethsemane

They do not understand what they are doing, so “Father forgive them,” Jesus says (Luke 23:34), and “My God, My God, why have thou deserted me?” (Luke 23:37). “Father, into thy hands I surrender my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
“Father, into thine hands I commit my spirit” (Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34)

Other references to Jesus praying

They do not understand what they are doing, therefore “Father forgive them,” Jesus says (Luke 23:34); “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:51). In Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34, Jesus says, “Father, into your hands I submit my spirit.” In Luke 23:46, he says, “Father, into your hands I surrender my spirit.”

After healing people in the evening (Matt 1:35), before walking on water (Matt 14:23, Mark 6:46, John 6:15), before Peter’s confession (Luke 9:18), before teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1), before the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29), before teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1), before teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1), before In Luke 22:32, Jesus declares that he has prayed for Peter’s faith.

In addition, Jesus said grace before the feeding miracles, at the Last Supper, and at the Supper at Emmaus, among other places. R. A. Torrey observes that Jesus prayed early in the morning as well as all night, that he prayed before and after the main events of his life, and that he prayed “when life was especially hectic,” according to Torrey.

References

That same morning, he awakened early and walked outside to an isolated spot, where he prayed for quite some time before the sun came up. (Matthew 1:35) This line, written so early in Jesus’ public career, serves as the first of many examples of intimate private prayer that he would demonstrate throughout his life (the parallel version is Luke 4:42). He leaves the house early in the morning, before anybody else is awake to notice him, to travel to a remote location where he may have contemplative contact with his Father.

When Jesus leaves the group for solitary prayer, the Gospels, particularly those of St.

Luke, make a point of noting it: After the miracle of the loaves and fishes — Mark 6:46: And when he had said goodbye to them, he went up to the mountain to pray.

Luke 9:18 describes the events leading up to Peter’s confession of faith that Jesus is the Christ.

Immediately before teaching the Our Father, Jesus was praying in a certain location, and after he stopped praying, one of his disciples approached him and asked, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his followers.” Matthew 26:36-45, Mark 14:32-41, and Luke 22:39-46 describe Jesus’ last hours in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion.

You must not be like them.” True to my word, I can assure you that they have earned their recompense.
(Matthew 6:5-6; Mark 6:5) This type of prayer of communication with God gives vital spiritual sustenance for those who are undertaking the Christian walk.
Consider the possibility that, when Jesus walked out to pray alone, he discreetly invited you to accompany him to his hidden location.
What would be the focus of his attention?
What do you think his posture would be?
After then, imagine yourself having a dialogue with Jesus about your personal prayer life when he’s through speaking.
After that, inquire as to what he would expect from you.
Was there anything else he may have wanted from you in this area of your life?

(Matthew 6:5-13). Finish this meditation by reciting the Our Father with Jesus, which will bring it to a close. This article is an extract from “Praying the Gospels with Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ: Jesus Launches His Ministry,” a book written by Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ. Wau.org/books has a collection of books.

How many times did Jesus pray in the Bible?

A: The Bible urges us in 1 Timothy 5:17 to “pray without stopping,” which means “continually.” However, while I do not believe that this technically implies that one should never cease praying, I believe that Jesus got closer to this than any other individual who has ever lived on this earth to doing so. He was perpetually in the state of prayer. In many places, he is seen to pray: alone (Mt 14:23)(Mk 1:35)(Lk 9:18)(Lk 22:39-41), in public (Jn 11:41-42)(Jn 12:27-30), before meals (Mt 26:26)(Mk 8:6)(Lk 24:30)(Jn 6:11), before making critical choices (Lk 6:12-13), before healing (Mk 7:34-35), after Moreover, Jesus taught on the significance of prayer (Mt 21:22), (Mk 11:24-26), (Mt 7:7-11), (Lk 11:9-13), (Jn 14:13-14), (Jn 15:7,16), and (Jn 16:23-24), (Mt 5:44), (Lk 6:27-28), (Mt 6:5-15: includes the Lord’s Prayer), and (Mt 11:2-4).

(Mt 18:19-20).
The following are all of the passages from the Gospels that I could uncover that depict Jesus praying.
Early in the morning, just before leaving for Galilee.
The Lord prayed all night before picking His twelve disciples (Lk 6:12-13).
(See also Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, and Luke 9:16.) (Mt 14:23) Before going out on the water, (See also Mark 6:46 and John 6:15.) While healing a man who was deaf and mute, Jesus said the following.
Mark 8:6-7 (as well as other passages) (Lk 9:18) This was before Peter spoke to Jesus as “the Christ.” (Matthew 9:28-29) At the time of the Transfiguration.
He said this before teaching His followers the Lord’s Prayer (Lk 11:1).

(See also Mk 10:13-16 and Lk 18:15-17 for further information.) (Jn 12:27-28) He is pleading with the Father to exalt His name.

(See also Mk 14:22-23 and Lk 22:19 for further information.) (Lk 22:31-32) (Lk 22:31-32) When Satan begged to “sift” Peter, I prayed for him to have faith.

(Matthew 26:36–46) In the Garden of Gethsemane, just before His betrayal.

(Matthew 27:46) At the time of his death on the cross, Jesus cried out in anguish, “My God, My God, why have you left me?” (See also Mk 15:34 for further information.) Towards the conclusion of His life, Jesus said, “Father, into Your hands I surrender my spirit,” according to Luke 23:46.

He blessed the disciples just before His ascension, according to Luke 24:50-53.

In contrast, I do not understand these passages in this manner. Additional Questions and Answers

What can we learn from the prayers that Jesus prayed?

QuestionAnswer The prayers that Jesus prayed provide us with valuable insight into His character, His heart, and His mission on this planet. The prayers of Jesus also serve to instruct and encourage us as we go about our own personal prayer life. The fact that He prayed is far more essential than where He prayed, when He prayed, or in what posture He prayed in. His prayers have a topic that is useful for all of us to consider. It is believed that Jesus prayed on a regular basis during His earthly ministry: “Jesus frequently retired to lonely places and prayed” (Mark 1:35).

How much more do we need to converse with the Father if the Son incarnate deemed it necessary to do so on a regular basis?

He would very certainly have found those occurrences excruciating if he had not had frequent and continuous access to the throne of God.

As part of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9–13), what is commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” is really a teaching tool that Jesus used.

As well as praying at regular intervals throughout His life, Jesus prayed at several significant moments in His life, including: During His baptism (Luke 3:21–22), before feeding the 5,000 (Luke 9:16), and before feeding the 4,000 (Matthew 15:36), and at the moment of His transfiguration (Matthew 17:1).

Before choosing His twelve disciples, Jesus “spent the night praying to God” on a hillside before choosing them (Luke 6:12).
Yes, Father, since this is exactly what you wanted me to accomplish.'” (See Luke 10:21.) Jesus prayed at the tomb of Lazarus.
When Jesus appeared in Jerusalem the week before His arrest, He foretold his impending death.
In this prayer, Jesus acts as the Intercessor on behalf of His followers (cf.
“Not.
He prays that they would be filled with His delight (verse 13) and that God will protect them from the evil one (verse 14).
Specifically, he prays for His own to be purified by truth, which is the Word of God (verse 17), as well as for them to be unified in that truth (verses 21–23).

Just prior to His arrest, Jesus spent time in prayer in theGarden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36–46).

As a lesson of submission and sacrifice, Jesus’ pained prayer in the garden reads: “My Father, if it is possible, please take this cup away from me.” “However, not according to my will, but according to your will” (verse 39).

When Jesus was on the cross, He even prayed from the middle of His pain.

As part of His final prayer, Jesus begged the Father to pardon those who were torturing Him to death: “Father, forgive them, for they have no idea what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

The prayers of Jesus are replete with recurring motifs.

Jesus’ prayers were frequently punctuated by expressions of gratitude.

The surrender of Jesus to the will of the Father is the third subject of Jesus’ petitions.

In the same way that Jesus expressed gratitude, we should express gratitude in all of our prayers (Philippians 4:6–7).

And, above all else, we should seek the will of the Lord rather than our own.

He prayed at moments of joy as well as in times of grief.

He prayed to express his gratitude, to ask for his needs, and to communicate with His heavenly Father, according to the Bible.

To this day, Jesus continues to intercede for His followers from His exalted position at the right side of the Father in heaven.

“While he was blessing them,” it is notable that during Jesus’ ascension, He was whisked away from His disciples and into heaven while they were still with Him (Luke 24:51).

That blessing has never been taken away. Until Jesus returns, people who come to God through faith in Christ will continue to be blessed by the Lord of all. Questions about Prayer (return to top of page) Is there anything we can take away from the prayers that Jesus prayed?

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29 Bible verses about Jesus Praying

Greek 5:7 Verse Page”>Hebrews 5:7 His petitions and supplications were heard by the One who could save Him from death throughout His fleshly days, and His devotion enabled Him to be heard. Verse page”>Luke 3:21 as a reference When all of the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened, and the angels came down to meet Him. Verses in Matthew 14:23″>Matthew 14:23 As soon as He had driven the throng away, He walked up to the mountain alone to pray, and by the time the sun had set, He was the only one left on the mountaintop.

Verse page”>Luke 6:12 is a tool.

ToolsVerse page”>Mark 1:35 in the Bible After waking up in the wee hours of the morning and leaving the home to find a solitary location, Jesus spent the rest of the day praying in that location.

ToolsVerse page”>Luke 5:16 Luke 9:18And it occurred that when He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He confronted them, asking them, “Who do the people claim that I am?” (Luke 9:18, emphasis added.) When they arrived to Gethsemane, Jesus instructed His followers to “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (Matthew 26:36) “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:39″>Verse page”>Matthew 26:39 And He walked a little farther than they had gone, and He fell on His face and begged, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, please take this cup away from Me; but not according to my will, but according to Yours.” Matthew 26:42″>Verse page”>Matthew 26:42 It took him another time to go and pray, saying “My Father, since this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done,” which meant “Your will be done.” Matthew 26:44″>Verse page”>Matthew 26:44 And He left them once again, walked away, and prayed a third time, saying the same thing that he had spoken the first time.

Mark 14:32″>Verse page”>Mark 14:32 They arrived at a location known as Gethsemane, where He instructed His followers to “sit here until I have finished praying.” Verse page”>Mark 14:35 in the Bible And He went a little further than they had gone, and he fell to the ground and began to pray, hoping that the hour would pass him by if at all possible.

Versions of the Bible page”>Luke 11:1 It so happened that while Jesus was praying in a specific location, one of His disciples approached Him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus responded by saying, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Matthew 14:19After ordering the crowds to take their seats on the grass, He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, blessed them by lifting his eyes to the heavens, and breaking the loaves, He distributed them to his disciples, who in turn distributed them to the rest of the crowds, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.

ToolsMatthew 19:13 verse page”>Matthew 19:13 Some children were then brought to Him so that He could lay His hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them for their actions.

ToolsVerse page”>John 17:9I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours; ToolsVerse page”>John 17:20 “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; ToolsVerse page”>Luke 22:32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” ToolsVerse page”>Isaiah 53:12 Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great,And He will divide the booty with the strong;Because He poured out Himself to death,And was numbered with the transgressors;Yet He Himself bore the sin of many,And interceded for the transgressors.

ToolsVerse page”>Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom You have given Me; for they are Yours;and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.
Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.“ I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.“ O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; ToolsVerse page”>John 14:16I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; ToolsVerse page”>John 11:22 Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” ToolsVerse page”>Romans 8:34 who is the one who condemns?

Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

On The Web – Where Jesus Prayed

Unexpectedly, I’ve found a fascinating discovery. The only settings where Jesus is known to have prayed (for a prolonged amount of time) are all documented in the Bible as being outside. When Jesus prayed by himself, he appeared to prefer the open air to the confines of the temple chamber. One of Jesus’ favorite prayer locations was the Garden of Gethsemane, which was also one of his favorite places to pray. Other prayer locations mentioned in the Bible include a mountaintop, wilderness, and a deserted location.

The Bible, on the other hand, never mentions Jesus praying inside a house, let alone in a closet.
Why did Jesus choose to pray outside rather than inside?
Another factor might be that being outside and away from other people makes it easier to be alone and uninhibited by others’ intrusions.
Matthew 14:23 (KJV) And after He had ordered the people away, He went up to a mountain by himself to pray in seclusion.
When they arrived at Gethsemane, Jesus went with them to the Garden of Gethsemane.
1:35 Mark 1:35 His prayer was interrupted when He awoke at a very early hour in the morning and walked out into the desert to pray.
14:32 (Matthew 14:32) And they arrived at a location known as Gethsemane.

3:21 (Luke 3:21) That is when it occurred, as everyone was baptizing one another and praying, that God opened the heavens to them all.

And large crowds were gathering to hear Him speak, as well as to be treated of their ailments by Him.

6:12 (Luke 6:12) And it occurred during those days that He went out to a mountain to pray, where He spent the entire night in silent prayer to God for guidance.

And there were twelve hand baskets full with bits of whatever had been left over for them to gather up.

And He inquired of them, saying, “Who do the people believe that I am?” 9:28 (Luke 9:28) Afterward, about eight days after these words, He went up into a mountain to pray with Peter, John, and James, who were with him.

And He was followed by His followers as well.

And He got down on his knees and prayed, John 18:1-2 (KJV) After speaking these words, Jesus and His followers crossed the winter brook Kidron, where there was a garden, and returned.

It was He and His followers who went inside it. And Judas, who betrayed Him, was well aware of the location. Because Jesus frequently traveled there with His followers.

What is the Garden of Gethsemane and Why Was it so Crucial to Jesus’ Life?

It is a vulnerable moment just after the Last Supper, when Jesus has revealed to His closest friends on earth what is about to happen to Him — the painful betrayal He will suffer from one of them, as well as His impending arrest, torture, and crucifixion — and how they should prepare for what is to come. Jesus withdraws with His inner circle, the three disciples closest to Him, and seeks sanctuary in a secret area, filled with agony and intense fear at the prospect of what He would shortly face.

And then, with unwavering determination, He goes about doing what He believes is necessary to save all of humanity.

Where Is the Garden of Gethsemane?

While the exact location of the Garden of Gethsemane is difficult to determine, the Bible states that it is located on the Mount of Olives, which is a historic site with significant significance throughout the Bible. We learn that the Mount of Olives was a “Sabbath day’s walk” from the city in Acts 1:12, according to the Bible. According to Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary, the Mount of Olives was given this name because it was covered with olive trees at the time. Because it was situated around 200 feet above sea level, it was one of a handful of mountain ridges east of Jerusalem that provided an excellent perspective of the city.

The Mount of Olives is a significant location because it was there that King Solomon built a “high place” for the worship of foreign gods, which caused the Lord to become extremely enraged with him (1 Kings 7-11).

The prophet Zechariah predicted that “a day of the Lord” would come when the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives, ready for war, and reign as king over the entire planet, and he was correct (Zechariah 14:1-9).

What Is the Garden of Gethsemane?

A significant location in Jesus’ life, the Garden of Gethsemane is mentioned in all four Gospels as a place where He retreated into deep prayer and a time of agony before His arrest and crucifixion, and it is also mentioned as a location near where He ascended to heaven in the Book of Acts, among other things. In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Gethsemane is translated from the Greek as “an oil press,” which makes sense given the context. It is said to be located at the base of the Mount of Olives, beyond the Kidron Valley, and to be accessible only by foot.

The oil press, a mechanical device of some type used to crush olives and extract their oil for cooking and other purposes, was also most likely included in the excavation.

Jesus brought His three closest followers — Peter, James, and John — with Him to a spot named Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36) so that He may pray, according to the Gospel of Matthew.

The Bible has a similar story in Mark 14:32, where the Gospel account also mentions that Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him “to a location called Gethsemane,” where He prayed in intense agony, overwhelmed by what was going to take place.

What Happened in the Garden of Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives?

According to the Gospels, Jesus instructed His followers to “sit here while I pray” (Mark 14:32). Because “my spirit is filled with anguish to the brink of death,” he admitted his sorrow and asked them to keep an eye out for him (14:34). Then, after walking a short distance away from them, he knelt on His knees and cried out to His Father, God. Then he told me that he could do anything for me because he was my Abba, Father.” Please accept this cup from me. Yet it is not what I will, but what You will, that counts.” (14:36).

“He fell to the ground with His face to the ground,” Matthew’s Gospel tells us, as He prayed with all of His might (Matthew 26:39).
The Gospels describe Jesus rebuking them for their frailty and failure to maintain vigil at this time of great need, a time when He prayed with such intensity that the Gospel of Luke described His sweat as “drops of blood dropping to the ground” (22:44).
He appeared ready to confront the path His Father had mapped out for Him.
“Enough!
Look at what has happened: the Son of Man has been handed into the hands of sinners.
Let’s get this party started!
Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss, and the Son of God was apprehended and imprisoned as a result (Mark 14:43-46).

Nevertheless, during His all-night anguish of sadness and prayer, Jesus realized what had to be done.

“Jesus responded by saying, ‘No more of this!’ In addition, He touched the man’s ear, healing him” (Luke 22:51).

When this happened, as Jesus had warned, “all of His disciples left Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56).

This time, however, it is during His ministry (Acts 1:12).

“It is not for you to know the times or dates that the Father has fixed by His own authority,” Jesus said.

In the immediate aftermath of His words, He was lifted up and hidden by a cloud in front of their very eyes” (Acts 1:6-9).

They also informed them that Jesus would return in the manner in which they had last seen Him go. The disciples then returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem, prepared to carry out the tasks that Jesus had assigned to them there (1:10-12).

Why Is the Garden of Gethsemane Important?

Although the garden was an important location, especially to Jesus because it was a place where He sought much-needed comfort and solace with His Father during a time of pain and sadness, as well as the location where He was betrayed and arrested, it also served as a setting for important instruction on key concepts that are still relevant today. In the first place, we are presented Jesus as the real “Word (that) became flesh” (John 1:14), the incarnate Son of the Lord God, born of a virgin, and referred to as Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14).

He was in the Garden of Gethsemane where He experienced sadness and tremendous pain as a result of the suffering He would have to undergo.
Jesus’ reaction may be taken as annoyance, disdain, or scolding when His closest companions, whom He’d pleaded with to stay awake and maintain watch, were unable to complete even the simplest of tasks for Him.
Then Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for an hour?” (Matthew 26:40 b).
(Matthew 36:27-29).
Jesus did more than just have a sacred supper with His closest companions when they gathered with Him for their final major meeting before His arrest and execution.
His revelations included the fact that one of them would betray Him, and that all of the disciples would scatter, with even Peter confessing three times before the rooster crows the following morning (Matthew 26:34).

Lastly, As part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shared wisdom on topics such as turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-39), loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us (5:44), giving to the needy (6:1-4), serving God rather than money or other temporary things of this world (6:19-24), and many other topics.

Jesus told him, ‘Put your weapon back where it belongs,’ for those who draw the sword will perish by the sword.’ Do you believe that I will be unable to summon my heavenly Father and have Him immediately place more than twelve legions of angels at my disposal?
Jesus was implying that the will of the Father would be carried out regardless of the circumstances, and that there was no use in resisting or incurring extra bloodshed.
Despite the fact that they did not comply with His instructions, His requests of them — as well as His modeling of the proper way to behave in times of grief and agony – reveal what we as Christians ought to do now.
Many Christians believe that contemplating the Garden of Gethsemane and its significance to Jesus, whether they travel to the exact spot or merely read about it, is an important step in better comprehending the deeds, the message, and the intent of Christ.
Her novel, The Memory Garden, was nominated for the 2018 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Award, which she received for her work as a Christian novelist.
Jessica Brodie’s fiction may be found at jessicabrodie.com, as well as her religious blog.

She also does a weeklyYouTubedevotional on her channel. You may also find her on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and others. She’s also written a free eBook, A God-Centered Life: 10 Faith-Based Practices for When You’re Anxious, Grumpy, or Stressed, which you can get here.

2 Pillars Church — Why Did Jesus Go Up On The Mountain To Pray?

It is difficult to cover all of the ground that has to be covered in a single sermon on a given text. The implications of this are that for every sermon you hear, there is a slew of observations, insights, linkages, and applications that were not included. Preachers have a number of significant (and tough!) responsibilities, one of which is making judgments about what to bring into the pulpit on Sunday and what to keep out. The sermon delivered on Sunday was no exception. Mark 6:46—45 is a scripture that I barely touched on briefly in my presentation.

46 When he had said his goodbyes to them, he climbed up on top of the mountain and prayed.

Jesus Praying in Mark

There are just three instances of Jesus praying in the entire gospel of Mark (Mark 1:35, 6:46, and 14:32–39), and each of those instances is brief. In each of these events, Jesus experienced a watershed moment in His mission, whether it was a crisis or a critical choice, as explained by writer James R. Edwards: Each prayer takes place at night and in a solitary location, each finds Jesus’ disciples estranged from him and unable to comprehend his mission, and in each, Jesus must make a life-altering decision or confront a catastrophe.

(197) When I preached on Sunday, I used the passage from John 6:15, which, at least in part, explains the predicament Jesus was facing: Knowing that they were preparing to come and seize him by force in order to declare him king, Jesus retired to the mountain by himself once more.

Jesus, on the other hand, came as a suffering servant-King who would save His people from their sin.

I believe the complete tale is told in the book of Acts.

The Disciples’ Hard Hearts

Jesus’ own followers were the most major source of criticism following the feeding of the five thousand (Mark 6:30–44), rather than the large multitudes that had gathered. The verses 51–52 inform us that: 51 And as he got into the boat with them, the wind stopped blowing. And they were completely taken aback, 52 because they did not comprehend the significance of the loaves, but their hearts had become hardened. The disciples were perplexed by Jesus’ explanation of the loaves. They were present when the miracle feeding took place.

They finished their meal and were satisfied.

Despite this, their hearts remained hardened.

If the hardness of the Pharisees upset Jesus, imagine how much more Jesus must have been affected by the hardness of His own followers’ hearts!

A Time to Speak and a Time to Pray

The way Jesus responded to His disciples’ hardheartedness, disbelief, and lack of understanding is instructive for us to learn from as well. Was Jesus able to achieve anything in the face of such opposition? He walked up to the top of the mountain in order to pray. So frequently, our own answer to this type of criticism is to talk and act even louder and more aggressively. Our thinking goes something like this: “If I offer additional information, provide another argument, recommend another book, or restate the essential aspects that they could have missed,” we reason, “then perhaps they will comprehend and respond to Jesus in faith.” While faith can be gained via hearing (Romans 10:17), stony hearts are not easily won over by mere words.

According to Ezekiel 11:19, God Himself provides a new heart as a gift to all who believe in Him under the New Covenant.

What Did Jesus Pray?

Jesus’ public career lasted only three and a half years, yet his intercessory ministry will have an indelible imprint on the church for all time. What method did he use to pray? What was it that he prayed for? Who was it that he prayed for? These are the kinds of questions that believers should be asking themselves in order to figure out the best approach to interact with our heavenly Father. Let us consider the kind of prayers that Jesus gave up to God in the heavenly realm.

1. Prayers to Resist Temptation

Before beginning his public ministry, Jesus journeyed into the desert, a location that would serve as his spiritual boot camp (Matthew 4:1-11). You could believe that Jesus didn’t require any type of instruction, but keep in mind that He was demonstrating to us how to put our confidence in God no matter what the situation. Yes, he was totally God, but he also took on the shape of a man and relinquished His divine abilities in order to survive the test of time as a simple mortal being. During this 40-day period, He fasted, and as anybody who has gone a few days without eating will attest, the frailty that results from a lack of food makes one more susceptible to temptation.

Despite the grumbling of his empty stomach, Jesus stood on the words of Scripture to warn Satan that “man does not live on food alone” (Matthew 4:4).

Although it is not strictly a prayer, when we pray, He serves as a model for how to combat temptation using God’s word.

2. Prayers ofForgiveness

Jesus had to forgive people who came into contact with him an undetermined number of times. Daily or perhaps hourly, as the priests and Pharisees repeatedly attempted to test Jesus and trip him up, it’s likely that they were doing so. One of the most powerful prayers the Son of God ever prayed took place at the foot of the cross, while Roman soldiers gambled for his clothing. “Forgive them since they are aware of what they are doing,” he says in his prayer for them (Luke 23:34). Jesus prayed for people who had trivialized his mission and insulted his suffering when he was nailed on a cross, writhing in agony.

3. Prayers of Praise

In Luke 10:21, Jesus expresses gratitude to God for concealing wisdom from the wise and revealing truth to tiny children. He also opened the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) with the words “Hallowed be thy name,” which means “Hallowed be thy name.” There aren’t many recorded examples of Jesus extolling the virtues of his heavenly Father in the Scriptures, to be sure. The opening line of the Lord’s Prayer, on the other hand, serves as an example of praise. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,” Jesus says at the outset of his prayer (Matthew 6:9).

4. Prayers of Submission

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed a prayer of surrender that is considered to be one of the finest instances of prayer in history. He was well aware that his time on this planet was drawing to a conclusion. And, as a human being, he recognized that the end would be unpleasant. “Going a little further, he fell to the ground with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me.'” Matthew 26:39 says, “Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me.'” ‘However, not as I will, but as you will’.” Jesus might have adopted a stoic attitude, allowing grief to pass him by.

Instead, we saw His humanity as He grappled with the reality of His imminent death.

5. Prayers of Intercession

If you want to witness Jesus’ Fatherly love for his people, go no farther than John 17. In a moving prayer, Jesus brings his people closer together, preparing them for a day when they will be without Him. “I say a prayer for them. I am not praying for the entire world, but rather for those whom you have given me, for they are yours to keep and cherish. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine. And it is through them that I have received honor. I shall no longer be present in the world, but they will continue to be present in the world, and I will come to you.

Knowing that his time on earth was limited, Jesus prayed for his followers.
One was impetuous and afraid, while the other was driven by ambition to establish himself as a successful businessman.
In this prayer, Jesus prepared his tiny band of men for the task of spreading the gospel throughout the globe.
“I say a prayer for them.
Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine.
I shall no longer be present in the world, but they will continue to be present in the world, and I will come to you.
Because Jesus was the only real representation of God on earth, it makes sense to model our prayers after His as we seek to speak with the Almighty God in our own lives.
The author, reporter, and freelancer Carol Stratton works in a variety of genres.
She is now working on a sequel to her first novel and keeping up with her blogging activities.
She is married to her writing muse, John, and they live in North Carolina with their four children and eight grandkids.

She enjoys boosting the confidence of new authors and readers who have recently relocated. Connect with her at her website, CarolGStratton.com, as well as on social media platforms Twitter and Facebook. Photo courtesy of Aaron Burden via Unsplash.

7 Ways That Jesus Prayed

Previously, we looked at the content of Jesus’ petitions in the Gospels, which was the subject of my last piece. Take a look at how He prayed today and see what you think.

1. Honest Prayer

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus made up pleas and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to deliver him from death, and he was heard because of his respect,” according to the book of Hebrews, a statement that can be easily forgotten concerning Jesus’ prayer life (Hebrews 5:7). The prayers of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, according to several interpreters, are the context of this passage. The following passage from Luke 22:44 describes the experience: “And being in pain, he prayed more fervently; and his perspiration became like big drops of blood dripping to the ground.” We learn from this passage that Jesus made supplications, or prayers, for God to intervene.

Finally, because of Jesus’ devotion, God paid attention to him.

2. Secluded Prayer

When it was still dark in the morning, Jesus got up and left the home. He walked away to a quiet area and spent the rest of the day praying there (Mark 1:35). This passage is one of my favorites since it demonstrates Jesus’ priorities. He was well aware that the day ahead would be filled with a flurry of service and activity, including casting out demons, healing the sick, teaching the Word, and discipling others. Earlier in the day, Jesus snuck away quietly to pray in a peaceful place before being caught up in the craziness.

3. Undivided Prayer

“During these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued to pray to God throughout the night” (Luke 6:12). We may learn two things about Jesus’ prayer life from this text. First and foremost, Jesus did spend substantial amounts of time in undivided prayer at times. Second, Jesus spent a significant amount of time praying before making a significant choice, as evidenced by the fact that He picked the 12 disciples the following day.

4. Visible Prayer

“And after a little distance, he collapsed on the ground and begged that, if at all possible, the hour would pass him by. Then he told them, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you.” Please take this cup away from me. However, it is not what I will, but what you will.’ After that, he returned to his room and prayed, uttering the same lines” (Mark 14:35-36, 39). As far as I can tell, this is one of just two occasions in the Bible when Jesus is shown in prayer. Jesus “dropped to the ground,” according to the Gospel of Mark.

In addition, we find in John 17:1 that Jesus “lifted up his eyes to heaven” when praying, demonstrating His reliance on God. In addition, it’s worth mentioning that Jesus prayed the same prayer more than once, even “speaking the identical words” each time.

5. Continual Prayer

“At this point, my spirit is tormented. And what am I supposed to say? Can I pray, “Father, save me from this hour?” But it is for this reason that I have arrived at this hour. Father, may your name be exalted” (John 12:27-28). This is a unique passage in which Jesus prays while in the middle of a discourse with his disciples. This, I believe, demonstrates that Jesus’ life was permeated with prayer. He was so close to God that he didn’t hesitate to pray whenever and wherever he felt the need to.

6. Corporate Prayer

“Now, about eight days after these sayings, he gathered his disciples, Peter, John, and James, and went up to the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the look of his face changed, and his garments turned brilliant white” (Luke 9:28-29). In fact, Jesus didn’t always pray by himself. The importance of praying with others, particularly those who were close to Jesus, was emphasized by Jesus.

7. Encouraging Prayer

I have prayed for you so that your faith will not be tested. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has claimed your possession in order to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you so that your faith will not be tested. After you have turned around, encourage your brothers to do the same” (Luke 22:31-32). Finally, Jesus provided encouragement to others by informing them when He had prayed for them. Is it possible to fathom how reassuring it would have been to hear Jesus mention that He had prayed for your salvation?

Praying Like Jesus

Following in our Master’s footsteps, here are nine practical applications for our own prayer life to consider: Be honest and transparent with God about your feelings and the things that are happening in your life right now. He’ll be able to manage it. 2. When you approach God, approach him with reverence and awe, just as Jesus did. 3. 3. Find a quiet area where you may pray on a regular basis where you can be isolated from the distractions of the outside world. 4. Schedule periods of extensive prayer during which you concentrate only on God, especially before making major decisions.

Experiment with a variety of postures that correspond to your wishes and current conditions.

Continue to pray for the same things over and over again.

In order to encourage someone in their faith, you should tell them that you have prayed for them.