“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
If our Lord Jesus, who was the embodiment of perfection, needed to pray, then certainly we who claim to follow him should do the same. I am quite certain that few of us would claim to be fully satisfied with our lives when it comes to prayer. I know I have much to learn.
Jesus instructed his disciples to pray. He taught them principles and precepts about prayer. But I think the greater impact on their lives was when they saw and heard him pray. They learned from his example.
The prayer life of Jesus illustrates to us when, where, and why we should pray.
When did Jesus pray?
He prayed at the beginning of things. As he stepped out into his public ministry, he prayed at his baptism, and the Holy Spirit descended on him (Luke 3:21). He spent an entire night in prayer before choosing his twelve disciples (Luke 6:12). The application for us is obvious. We ought to begin our days in prayer to the Lord for guidance and wisdom for every duty and decision.
He prayed in the middle of things. As he was surrounded by crowds of needy people, he felt the need for prayer. The gospels tell us that whenever possible, in the middle of busy activities and interruptions, he found time to retreat to talk with the Father in heaven. If we are too busy to pray, we are too busy.
He prayed at the end of things. near the end of his earthly ministry, our Lord prayed with his disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:31-32). He prayed for them in John 17. He agonized in prayer in Gethsemane (Luke 22:40-46). Three of his seven last statements from the cross were prayers (Luke 23:34). The habits of his life were continued at the time of his death.
When did Jesus pray? In every conceivable situation. When should you and I pray? In every conceivable situation.
Where did Jesus pray?
Luke 5:16 says he “withdrew” and sought solitude in out-of-the way places. The New International Version translates it as “lonely” places, possibly meaning uninhabited pasture lands or mountains.
What is the point of this for us? We all have a need for quietness and solitude as we spend time in prayer. Jesus said that when we pray, it is not to put on a show of piety before other people. “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” (Matthew 6:6).
Why did Jesus pray?
Our Lord prayed in order to get things from the Father. John 11 tells the story of his raising Lazarus from the dead. He expressed confidence that God heard his prayer (John 11:41-42). The miracle that followed was a direct answer to his prayer, for the glory of God.
He prayed because of the needs of others. The circumstances in our text describe the pressures of ministry to large crowds who wanted healing and who were spiritually hungry. Prayer was the key to his composure and compassion. No doubt he prayed for the people he served and healed.
He prayed to cultivate dependency upon God. Jesus had a sense of radical dependence on the Father for his mission and ministry. “Jesus gave them this answer: ‘the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son also does'” (John 5:19).
Jesus prayed to commune with God. There are at least fifteen instances recorded in the four gospels where we find Jesus praying. Many of these are obviously for simple communion with God.
I read about a woman who was sitting beside the bed of her sick husband looking at him. He asked in a feeble voice, “What are you doing?” She replied, “Just loving you.” When God looks at us and says, “What are you doing?” may our answer be, “Just loving you.” I think that is what Jesus was doing as he prayed, just loving the Father.
If Jesus needed to pray then so do we. The best way to learn to pray is to follow his example.
Pastor Randy Faulkner