Faith Believers,
For Jesus prayer was a lifestyle.
It seems that He prayed at every major juncture and before every key decision in His life. He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35). He prayed at night (Matthew 14:27), and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). He prayed when He was alone (John 6:15), He prayed when He was with others (Matthew 11:15–26), and He prayed at public gatherings (Matthew 14:19).
For Jesus prayer was a lifestyle.
It seems that He prayed at every major juncture and before every key decision in His life. He prayed in the morning (Mark 1:35). He prayed at night (Matthew 14:27), and sometimes all night (Luke 6:12). He prayed when He was alone (John 6:15), He prayed when He was with others (Matthew 11:15–26), and He prayed at public gatherings (Matthew 14:19).
Scripture records eight actual prayers of Jesus, fourteen teachings of
Jesus on prayer, eighteen references to Him praying, as well as three
references to His intercessory prayer ministry after He ascended.
Every
one of His prayers was faith-filled, heartfelt, and fervent. The writer
of Hebrews compacts the essence of Jesus’ prayer life into one sentence: During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and
petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from
death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission - Hebrews 5:7.
Jesus was the paramount pray-er.
Jesus Christ was also the ultimate intercessor.
Intercession was a major part of His prayer life. It’s from His intercessory prayer life and teaching that we especially want to learn.
Jesus was the paramount pray-er.
Jesus Christ was also the ultimate intercessor.
Intercession was a major part of His prayer life. It’s from His intercessory prayer life and teaching that we especially want to learn.
Many
passages of scripture record Jesus’ prayers for others. Matthew informs
us that Jesus placed his hands on the little children that were brought
to him and prayed for them (Matthew 19:13).
Before raising Lazarus from the grave Jesus lets us in on the fact that
He has been praying on the way there: Father, I thank you that you
have heard me. I knew that you always hear me - John 11:41–42.
After the Lord’s Supper Jesus reinstates Peter with the reminder, I
have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail - Luke 22:32.
In
His final prayer with His disciples, Jesus intercedes for their
protection, their joy, their sanctification, and their future place with
Him in glory (John 17:9–17, 24).
In the same prayer He intercedes that future believers will be one and that they may also be in us [that is, in the Father and the Son] - John 17:20–23). On the cross Jesus asks the Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
In the same prayer He intercedes that future believers will be one and that they may also be in us [that is, in the Father and the Son] - John 17:20–23). On the cross Jesus asks the Father to forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34).
Finally, forty days later,
as He prepares to ascend to heaven, Jesus lifts up His Hands and
blesses those gathered (Luke 24:50).
Intercession ran like a thread, maybe more
like a rope, through the fabric of Jesus’ life.
- Marilyn
Intercession ran like a thread, maybe more
like a rope, through the fabric of Jesus’ life.
- Marilyn
~ Prayer ~
Precious Christ Jesus,
Precious Christ Jesus,
I
am awed that You always live to intercede for me! How blessed I am to
have the example of Your prayer life laid out for me in Scripture!
Prayer was and is Your very life!
I long for the kind of intimacy You have with the Father! What a mystery that Your prayer life is living within me, and that You pray Your heart through mine; if I will yield myself to the voice of Your Spirit.
I entrust my prayer life to You now, and thank You for the promise that when I come near to You, You will come near to me!
Light the fire of intercession within me as I continually seek Your face!
Amen
Prayer was and is Your very life!
I long for the kind of intimacy You have with the Father! What a mystery that Your prayer life is living within me, and that You pray Your heart through mine; if I will yield myself to the voice of Your Spirit.
I entrust my prayer life to You now, and thank You for the promise that when I come near to You, You will come near to me!
Light the fire of intercession within me as I continually seek Your face!
Amen
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