CHRIST – OUR GREATEST EXAMPLE IN PRAYER
Christ is our greatest example in prayer. He knew the importance of prayer. Even though He was God in the flesh yet You find Him always in touch with His Heavenly Father. Christ “prayed without ceasing.” He was always in touch with God. Now if prayer is important to Christ; how much more to us?
Christ is our example in prayer in seven ways:
1. CHRIST STARTED THE DAY IN PRAYER
Christ started the day in prayer. He knew how important it is to start the day in prayer. If it was important to Him; how much more to us?
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." (Mark 1:35, NKJV)
2. CHRIST KNEW THE IMPORTANCE OF SPENDING TIME WITH GOD ALONE
Christ would get away often from the crowd and pray. He had to be alone with God. He knew the importance of spending time with God alone and to get away from all the busyness of life. Like the hymn says: “Take time to be holy, the world rushes on; spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.”
"And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there." (Matthew 14:23, NKJV)
3. CHRIST KNEW THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYING WITH OTHERS ALSO
Christ knew the importance of praying with others and not only alone. That shows how important the prayer meeting is for sometimes our burdens are too difficult to bear by ourselves and we need others to pray with us.
"Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray." (Luke 9:28, NKJV)
"And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”" (Matthew 26:37-38, NKJV)
4. CHRIST WAS PERSISTENT IN PRAYER
You would find Him in the garden before His betrayal, going to God over and over in His agony. That is how we ought to be. We ought to be persistent in prayer.
"Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words." (Matthew 26:36-44, NKJV)
5. CHRIST PERSEVERED IN PRAYER
Christ preserved in prayer. He would often continue in prayer all night. Like the scripture says: “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
"Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12, NKJV)
6. CHRIST HAD FAITH WHEN HE PRAYED
Christ had faith that His Father would hear Him and that He would answer. Faith is very important to God “For without Faith it is impossible to please Him.” Heb. 11:6
"Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”" (John 11:41-42, NKJV)
7. CHRIST PRAYED ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD
Christ made known His requests to God but then surrendered and submitted to the perfect will of God. This is how we should pray for scripture says: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
"And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”" (Mark 14:36, NKJV)