Prayer was the essence of Jesus Christ's relationship with the Father. He prayed for himself and his mission, and he continues to pray for all believers.
Jesus Christ's practice of prayer
He prayed regularly
Luke 5:16 Luke records more instances of Jesus Christ praying than any other Gospel writer.
Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.
He often prayed alone
Mark 1:35 See also Matthew 14:23 parallel Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.
Prayer at specific times in Jesus Christ's life
Before his death: Matthew 26:36–46 parallels Mark 14:32–41, Luke 22:39–46; John 17:1–26; Matthew 27:46 parallel Mark 15:34; Luke 23:34, Luke 23:46, Luke 3:21–22 at his baptism; Luke 6:12–13 before choosing the apostles; Luke 9:28–29 before his transfiguration
Characteristics of Jesus Christ's prayers
Communion with his Father
Matthew 6:9 parallel Luke 11:2; Matthew 11:27 parallel Luke 10:22
Submission to his Father
Hebrews 5:7 See also Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:36 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42
During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, 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 reverence.
Giving praise and thanks to his Father
Matthew 11:25–26 parallel Luke 10:21 See also Matthew 14:19 parallels Mark 6:41, Luke 9:16, John 6:11; Matthew 15:36 parallel Mark 8:6–7; Matthew 26:26–27 parallels Mark 14:22–23, Luke 22:17–19, 1 Corinthians 11:24 the Lord's Supper; Luke 24:30; John 11:41–42
At that time Jesus declared, “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. Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight.
The scope of Jesus Christ's prayers
Matthew 19:13–15 parallels Mark 10:13–16, Luke 18:15–17 for children; Luke 22:31–32; John 14:16, John 17:6–19; Luke 23:34 for his persecutors; John 12:27–28, John 17:1–5; John 17:20–26 for all believers
Jesus Christ's continuing ministry of prayer
Hebrews 7:25 See also Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1
Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus Christ's teaching about prayer
Matthew 6:9–15 parallel Luke 11:2–4 See also Matthew 5:44, Matthew 6:5–8; Luke 6:28, Luke 18:1–8, Luke 18:9–14, Luke 21:36
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.