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Home , John 17, Luke 11, Luke 9, Matthew 11, Prayers of Jesus

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Week 37: The (Selections from the Four )

“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’.” —:1

Jesus answered this request by modeling for them “’s .” But what sparked the unnamed ’s curiosity to not just learn about prayer but to be actually taught to pray? It was the fact that he saw Jesus in prayer. One way we can learn to pray is by looking at the prayer life of Jesus. The Gospels offer captivating glimpses into Jesus’ prayer life.

Why did Jesus Pray? If Jesus is God, why did need to pray? There are at least three reasons. First, Jesus prayed as an example to His followers—an example we hope to learn from this week. Second, the Incarnation consists of both divine and human natures. From His human nature, it was perfectly natural for a Jewish believer such as Christ to pray. Third, the relational nature of the Trinity allows for communication between its members. As God the Son, Jesus communed with .

Observations About Jesus and Prayer Jesus prayed for others. In :13-14, He placed His hands on the little children and prayed for them. He also prayed in :9, “I pray for them.” His example of prayer underscores the need for intercessory prayer.

Jesus prayed with others. “Jesus took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray” (:28). Jesus knew the value of praying with others.

Jesus prayed alone. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (:16). As much as Jesus understood the value of praying with and for others, He also understood the need to pray alone.

Jesus prayed regularly. “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” The word “often” indicates that Jesus prayed regularly. He prayed regularly and naturally. It was integrated into every aspect of His life.

Jesus prayed in nature. What better place to commune with our Creator than among the wonders of nature? :12 says, “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray.” He could have gone to a synagogue to pray. But there were times when Jesus decided to pray in nature. God’s world is full of wonders to draw us closer to Him.

Jesus prayed short and long prayers. The Lord’s Prayer, full of wisdom, is short and can be easily memorized. But Jesus also dedicated long periods of time to prayer. “Jesus spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12).

Jesus taught persistence in prayer. “Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (:1). The parable Jesus shared is not meant to depict a pestering disciple who finally bugs God enough that He chooses to respond, but about persistence in prayer and waiting on God and His timing.

Jesus knew that not all His prayers would be answered as expected. This is a difficult prayer lesson to learn, but the fact of the matter is that not all our prayers are answered in ways we expect. Even Jesus knew this hard lesson as He cried out to God the Father from Gethsemane, “Yet not as I will, but as You will” (:36-44).

Jesus recognized the need to be in constant communion with His Father to fully know His will. He also took time for isolated intimacy with the Father to be strengthened as He walked in the Father’s will. May it serve as an example for us this week! Table JESUS’ ARREST & TRIAL 9 of 11

Description Matthew Mark Luke John

Arrest and Trial

30ad In the Garden of Gethsemane 26:36-38 14:32-34 22:40 18:1 Jesus’ First Prayer in the Garden 26:39-41 14:35-38 22:41-46 -- -- Jesus’ Second Prayer in the Garden 26:42-43 14:39-40 ------Jesus’ Third Prayer in the Garden 26:44-46 14:41-42 ------Judas Arrives with the Soldiers ------18:2-9 Judas Betrays Jesus 26:47-50 14:43-46 22:47-48 -- -- The Reaction of Jesus’ Followers 26:51-54 14:47 22:49-51 18:10-11 Jesus’ Response to His Captors 26:55-56a 14:48-49 22:52-53 -- -- The Disciples Desert Jesus 26:56b 14:50-52 ------Jesus Before , Father-in-Law ------18:12-14, 19-23 Jesus Sent To Caiaphas the High Priest 26:57-58 14:53-54 22:54 18:24 Peter’s 1st Denial 26:69-70 14:66-68 22:55-57 18:15-18 Jesus Mocked and Beaten 26:67-68 -- -- 22:63-65 -- -- Jesus Before the 26:59-66 14:55-65 22:66-71 -- -- Jesus Led Out to Pilate 27:1-2 15:1 23:1 -- -- Peter’s 2nd and 3rd Denials 26:71-75 14:69-72 22:58-62 18:25-27 Judas Hangs Himself 27:3-10 ------The Jewish Leaders Come Before Pilate ------18:28-32 Pilate Questions Jesus the First Time 27:11-14 15:2-5 23:2-3 18:33-38a Pilate Sends Jesus to Herod ------23:4-7 -- -- Jesus Before Herod ------23:8-12 -- -- The People Gather Before Pilate 27:15-18 15:6-8 ------Pilate’s Wife’s Dream 27:19 ------Pilate Declares Jesus Not Guilty ------23:13-16 -- -- Crowd Demand Jesus’ Death & Barabbas’ Release 27:20-23 15:9-14 23:17-22 18:38b-40 The Soldiers Mock and Beat Jesus 27:27-30 15:16-19 -- -- 19:1-3 Pilate Again Declares Jesus Not Guilty ------19:4-7 Pilate Questions Jesus a Second Time ------19:8-11 The Choice of Caesar Over Christ ------19:12-15 Pilate Washes His Hands 27:24-25 ------Pilate Hands Jesus Over 27:26 15:15 23:23-25 19:16 30ad Jesus Led Out to be Crucified 27:31 15:20 ------

More Observations about the Prayer Life of Jesus Week Thirty-Seven Reading Plan Jesus believed that prayer works — Mt. 7:7-11; 21:22; Luke 11:1-13 Persistence in Prayer Mk. 11:24; Jn. 14:13-14; 15:7, 16; 16:23-24 Luke 18:1-14 Humility in Prayer Praying did not make Jesus passive — Mt. 25:31-46 Mark 11:20-26 Forgiveness and Prayer Jesus prayed before meals — Mk. 6:41; 14:22; Lk. 24:30 Matthew 11:25-30; Prayer of Gratitude & Missions Jesus offered thanks — Mt. 11:25 :1-2, 21-24 Jesus sang some prayers — Mk. 14:26; Mt. 26:30 :1-45 Prayer at a Graveside He prayed before making making decisions — Lk. 6:12-13 John 17:1-26 Prayer of the Great High Priest Jesus prayed for His disciples — Jn. 17:9-26 Mark 14:32-42 Prayer in the Garden Jesus continues to pray for us — Heb. 7:25