Jesus Prays At Critical Times, Part 2
In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 6:25-28, The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. This prayer has become known as the “Model Prayer, or The Lord’s Prayer”. The Greek word Jesus uses for 'Father' in the Lord’s prayer is pater.
When Jesus prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane he used another word for Father, as well as pater. It was the Aramaic word Abba. So he prayed, "Abba , pater." ("Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you." Mark 14:36 )
If we want to become effective in our communications with God, we need to look to Jesus as our model prayer. Jesus prayed often. He withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16) Matthew, Mark, Luke and John record fifteen occasions when Jesus prayed. The writer to the Hebrews adds, "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 is our model: There are several ways in which we can imitate Jesus in his praying.
Jesus praised God. At this time Jesus, full of joy though the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’ (Luke 10:21)
Jesus gave thanks to God. Before feeding the 5,000, Jesus asked God to bless the five loaves and two fish. "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves." (Mark 6:41)
Jesus asked for things in his prayers. In his moment of great distress Jesus prayed to his heavenly Father. "On reaching the place, he said to them, pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but your will be done." ( Luke 22 40-44)
Jesus prayed for other people. "When they came to the place of the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals-one on the right , the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they o not know what they are doing." ( Luke 23:34)
If you or I had any doubts on how to pray effectively and what to pray for, all we need to do is follow the prayer path of Jesus. His prayers are the road map that can and will lead us in the direction of effective, spirit filled, consecrated prayer to the Father.
Next, we will look at how Jesus prayed during critical times. Instead of pushing the panic button every time some crisis comes up in our lives, we need to know that Jesus faced some dark moments in his life as well. Let’s take a look at how He responded under such pressure.
