Praying with Jesus

Why did Jesus Pray?

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. -- Mark 1:35

 If there was one person in all of history who didn't need to pray, most people would say it was Jesus.  And Jesus didn't just talk about prayer, he spent a lot of time praying.  He regularly, fervently, persistently prayed.  So why did he pray?

Jesus prayed to Know the Father's Heart

In the collection of teaching known as the "Sermon on the Mount," Jesus said, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.  Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6).

The prayer life of Jesus wasn't a mere spiritual discipline, but an act of deep love.  He discovered that when he went away to a quiet place he was able to sense the rhythm of the Father's heart.  

Jesus prayed to Know the Father's Will

One morning, while it was still dark, Jesus slipped away from his disciples to be alone with the Father.  When the disciples found him, they interrupted his prayer time and pleaded, "Everyone is searching for you!"

But rather than responding to the demand of the crowd, Jesus said, "Let us go somewhere else -- to the nearby villages -- so I can preach there also.  That is why I have come" (Mark 1:38). Jesus could have easily spent all of his time addressing the needs of that one village, but he knew that the Father had a larger mission for him to fulfill.  He knew that, because he spent time praying to know the Father's heart and understand the Father's will.

Jesus prayed to Receive the Spirit's Power

Jesus was fully human and had the same human limitations all of us have.  But Jesus was able to accomplish his mission by praying to receive the Spirit's power.  Luke tells us, "When all the people where being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.  And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him" (Luke 3:21-22).

Jesus knew his followers would need to rely on the Spirit's power if they were to continue his mission.  So he left the disciples with this promise, "I am sending upon you what my Father promised, so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

It was while the disciples were gathered together, "continually devoting themselves to prayer" that the Holy Spirit filled them with power from on high.

Jesus Prayed to Persevere in his Mission

On the night before he was crucified, Jesus went to a favorite place on the Mount of Olives and poured out his heart to the Father in prayer.  He knew that his own strength would not sustain him in the ordeal that was just ahead, so he prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet, not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42).

The Father heard his prayer and supplied all that he would need to accomplish his mission.  In just the same way, God will supply everything we need to accomplish his mission and finish his work.

As we commit ourselves to accomplishing God's mission, may we regularly, fervently, persistently pray:

Father, help us to feel the beat of you heart, so we can understand your will.  Fill us with your power, so we can accomplish your purpose.  May you kingdom come and your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven.  Do it, Lord, in the name of Jesus.  Amen.