The people Jesus called to follow Him had
no formal training as leaders in the church. They needed guidance, knowledge,
and wisdom. They weren’t even sure how they should pray. In Luke 11:1 Jesus’
disciples ask Him to teach them to pray, and He gives them what we call today,
“The Lord’s Prayer” as a guideline for them and us to follow as we converse
with God.
The Lord’s Prayer suggests we include praise and petitions to our Heavenly Father for His holiness, will, and kingdom, as well as for our needs like daily bread, forgiveness, and spiritual protection.
Jesus’ own prayer life also taught His disciples and us many aspects of prayer. Scripture records several of Jesus’ prayers that we can look to for guidance in our own prayer lives.
Some of Jesus’ prayers were long and reflective. (John 17) Others were short and direct. (Luke 23:24) Jesus prayed in solitary, (Mark 1:35) and with others. (Matthew 18:19) Jesus prayed for others (John 17:9) and for Himself (Mark 19:13, Matt. 26:42). Jesus taught that prayers should be humble, not self-exalting (Luke 18:9-14) and that prayers should be submissive to God’s will, not insistent on our own. (Luke 22:42)
For Jesus—and for us—prayer is a conversation with our loving, wise, and trustworthy Father. It is not us trying to impress Him with our wordiness or to manipulate a positive outcome from Him with our persuasive language skills. Hebrews 5:7-10 says, “In His life on earth Jesus made His prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save Him from death. Because He was humble and devoted, God heard Him. But even though He was God's Son, He learned through His sufferings to be obedient.” That’s what God wants in our prayers—humility, devotion, and obedience.
Be encouraged!
©2025 Pamela D. Williams
