We are looking this week at the Prayers of Jesus. If we want to pray more effectively and with more meaning then we can do nothing better than listen to the Master. Before each time of study and reading pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see in a fresh way the wonderful life and teaching of the Saviour.
Day 1 Read Mark 1:29-39
Even when Jesus was away from home and pulled out of his normal routine he still made time for prayer. He would have been tired after a hard day and also staying with people yet he got up long before the break of day and found a quiet place to pray. We see how Jesus “made” time for what he considered a priority in his life. He also found somewhere and a time when he knew he would not be distracted – we are increasingly under pressure to be busy yet we also need times when we can be free from distraction and listen to God.
Day 2 Luke 10:1-24
This is a moment to enjoy for Jesus – the 72 who had gone out come back and they all speak of the success they enjoyed as they exercised their ministry. They were filled with joy and we are told that Jesus is filled with joy. There are times when it is right for us to be truly happy in God’s presence when we are positively engaging in the work of the Kingdom – realising that Jesus too is truly happy. Jesus in prayer expresses confidence in God’s plan. Often prayer is our expressing to God our thankful confidence that He knows what He is doing.
Day 3 Luke 11:1-13
How does Jesus teach us when it comes to prayer? If prayer is simply a conversation with God surely there is no need to teach us – let us just get on with it? Jesus realised that we would find prayer difficult and therefore left us a structure to help us. In prayer we look beyond ourselves to God, his nature, holiness, Kingdom and will – all of these are mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer. In prayer we look close to us for food, forgiveness and strength to avoid temptation. Jesus touches on all the vital areas of life and relationship with God and others that are the key to meaningful prayer. The structure of the Lord’s Prayer is therefore very helpful to us. In verses 5-10 Jesus encourages us to be bold – when praying for others and the big things that pertain to the Kingdom of God – be bold.
Day 4 John 17
Read the whole of this majestic passage and read it again and again until it seeps into your soul. Would you not like to know what famous people prayed for near the end of their lives – those things that they felt most keenly about? Well, here is what mattered most to Jesus. He prays for our protection, as we should for other believers. He expressed joy when he thought of His Church, as we too should express. His prayer for unity and love in the Church is one we too should make a priority in our prayers -linked with our attitude and actions.
Day 5 Mark 14:32-42
Persecuted Christians around the world fear the knock on the door – a knock for some that will mean their immanent death. Jesus is aware of what he is about to face. We find the great encouragement for us to pray like Jesus even in our darkest of moments. To pray for the will of God to be done was for Jesus the final point in an agonising time when he wanted “out”. This prayer surely encourages us to understand that there are moments when we hold on by our finger tips.