Did Jesus emphasize prayer in his own earthly ministry?
Look at how many times the gospels highlight his prayer life:
- He prayed at his baptism—Luke 3:21
- His prayers gave his ministry direction—Mark 1:35
- He frequently prayed despite a heavy ministry schedule—Luke 5:16
- He prayed all night before choosing apostles—Luke 6:12-13
- His all-night praying produced miracles—Matthew 14:23-25
- He prayed to open his disciples’ hearts—Luke 9:18-20
- His prayers transformed him—Luke 9:28-29
- His prayers were impelled by the Holy Spirit—Luke 10:21
- His prayers inspired the disciples to imitate him—Luke 11:1-13
- He prayed for the children—Matthew 19:13-14
- His prayers raised the dead—John 11:41-42
- His praying kept his mission in perspective—John 12:27-28
- His gratitude produced thanksgiving in his prayers—Matthew 14:19 & 26:26-27
- He interceded in prayer for the disciples—Luke 22:31-32
- He prayed for his church on the night before his crucifixion—John 17:1-26
- He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane—Luke 22:39-46
- He prayed while on the cross—Luke 23:34, 46
These seventeen peeks into Jesus’ prayer life make the point—he considered praying to his Father a non-negotiable, vital part of his life’s mission on earth.
“Is it not written; ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?” -Jesus (Mark 11:17 NIV)
Why do you think many Christ-followers find prayer ineffective?