I think the Events I am about to mention may be, to some degree anyway, answers to some of Jesus’ Prayers. I leave plenty of room for you to disagree, if you so choose.

But I do know this. Jesus was praying WHEN THESE EVENTS OCCURRED. Scripture itself validates this fact.

Let’s go to our Lord’s baptism. Only Luke (none of the other Gospel writers) tells us. “Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, AND PRAYING, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22, Jesus at prayer! We do not know the EXACT content of His Prayer that day, but he was indeed talking to His Father. The Father responded, too! As did the Holy Spirit!

Another instance of Jesus at prayer at a critical time of His Life was at the mount of Transfiguration. And again Luke tells us about it. “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, 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. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:28-31, more answered prayer, for sure!

Great things happen when one prays! Perhaps even things beyond what could have been imagined! “Now unto him that is able to do EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

Then a third example, our Lord was praying just prior to Calvary, the old rugged Cross, His substitutionary Death. The very words of Jesus here: “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. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him. Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.” John 12:27-30, praying again … and the Father directly (audibly) answered!

Wow!

Three of what was probably many instances!

Jesus, The Man of Prayer!

The Man Whose Prayers were answered!

The man Who truthfully testified (at the grave of dead Lazarus), speaking to His Father … “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. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.” John 11:41-43, “Thou hearest Me always!”

God does answer prayer!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell