Jesus’ prayer habits are gradually revealed throughout the Gospels. More in Luke, much more, than in John, for example. But enough to prove our Saviour “prayed!”
Mark 1:35 tells us a lot. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there PRAYED.” Before an average day, praying! It looks like He really enjoyed uninterrupted time with his Father!
Wow!
And after Jesus fed the multitudes (the 5,000 +) … He went and prayed! Nearly all night long! “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart TO PRAY: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” Matthew 14:23, after an ultra-busy day, praying!
And on the evening before Jesus chose His 12 Helpers, Disciples … yes, He again prayed! “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain TO PRAY, and CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” Luke 6:12-13, prior to great decisions, praying!
And even before great Sermons, our Lord invested time, enjoyed time, in prayer! Like when He reveled to his Disciples His True Identity, clearly so! “And it came to pass, as he was alone PRAYING, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing; saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” Luke 9:18-22, blending powerful preaching and intensive prayer!
Jesus prayed habitually!
Our Lord practiced, embodied, Paul’s later command, “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17
And if Jesus the son of God saw the need for prayer … on every occasion … surely we humans must as well!
Amen … just pray:
Early in the morning!
Late into the night!
Before every decision!
Before saying much as well!
That’s today’s Lesson!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell