The bible tells us volumes about Jesus when we learn about the prayer life of Jesus. Jesus prayed often. He sought out his Father in times of need. He would slip off and away from the throngs of people to seek God and to talk to the Father. However, his prayers were always put at the feet of the Father with the understanding that he wanted the Father’s will to be done.
His disciples asked him to teach them to pray as they saw how diligent he was in prayer and they wanted to be just like Jesus. In Matthew, he said, “Matthew 6:5-15, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, 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 today 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 other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
In James, we are taught about the power of prayer. James 5:13-16, “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
How can we follow Jesus more closely? Are we learning more about Him daily? What should our time spent with Jesus be like? How do we accomplish this amidst our hectic and frantic daily life? Do you relish spending time in prayer?
How sweet is our time with God in prayer! This reminds me of the song “Sweet Hout of Prayer”
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care. And bids me at my Father’s throne. Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief. And oft escaped the tempter’s snare. By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share. Of those whose anxious spirits burn. With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place. Where God my Savior shows His face. And gladly take my station there. And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear. To Him whose truth and faithfulness. Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share. Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight.
This robe of flesh I’ll drop, and rise. To seize the everlasting prize. And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!
These lyrics certainly imply having faith and actions because of faith. In Mark 11:22-24, God’s word states, “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Our Savior was desirous of giving His disciples instructions respecting the nature and power of prayer, and the necessity of strong faith in God. He therefore stated a very strong case, a miracle–one so great as the removal of a mountain into the sea. And He tells them, that if they exercise a proper faith in God, they might do such things. But His remarks are not to be limited to faith merely in regard to working miracles, for he goes on to say:
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
When you pray, you must forgive. Is that required only when a man wishes to work a miracle? There are many other promises in the Bible nearly related to this, and speaking nearly the same language, which have been all disposed of in this way, as referring to the faith employed in miracles. Just as if the faith of miracles was something different from faith in God!
Have faith that God will answer your prayers!
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