Prayer- The Lord Jesus' Style

Oh do we ever struggle when we get tired out, busy, and successful. Let’s continue to build in time with God! Often have those prayer retreats alone. I found it most refreshing when I have no agenda but Him and just worship Him who alone is worthy of praise and your time!

4. The way He CHOSE the Twelve

One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he PRAYED to God ALL NIGHT. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Lk.6:12-13 (NLT)

Important decisions in life, - surely need the counsel of God! Numerous examples in Israel’s history, when God is not consulted in going up to conquer, that Israel was defeated. Should see our defeats in this light? Note: even the choice included Judas. Shows the trust Jesus had in the Father and that what lies ahead is in the sovereign will of God.

5. The way His ministry on earth was COMPLETED.

Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go on ahead to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and WATCH WITH ME.” Matt.26:36-38 (NLT)

And when Jesus had CRIED OUT with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last. So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly this was a righteous Man!” Lk.23:36-47 (NKJV)

6. The way His ministry in heaven CONTINUES.

But Jesus will never die, and so he will be a priest forever! He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always LIVES TO SPEAK TO GOD FOR THEM. Heb.7:24-25 (CEV)

Jesus had never stopped praying, still interceding for us. Amazing, that He lives now to speak to God for us!

Even the Spirit of God help us as well in praying (Rom.8:26-27)esp. in our groanings and weaknesses. What comfort this is!

Conclusion:

If the Lord Jesus Himself is immersed in a lifestyle of prayer, punctuated with many prayer retreats and even continues to intercede even from heaven, what does that say to us? I trust this will inspire all of us to examine our fellowship/relationship with God. If we are to follow Jesus, surely it makes sense to follow His lead in prayer. From His own teaching in Lk.11:5-8, Jesus encouraged the boldness He Himself had in approaching God. We know He want us to emulate His boldness. Basically, don’t be afraid, just go up to God. When we believed that Christ has forgiven us all our sins, He removed all the barriers to God. So there is no fear in approaching God.

We also know He tells us to ask., seek and knock., because as believers, we have a Father who cares very much. Using the analogy of fathers on earth who give good gifts, how much more the Father who sent His Son for us and that He would give His own Spirit to those who ask Him (Lk.11:11-13). If Jesus says the Father is willing to give the best when we pray, shall we not trust His word that every time we come near boldly, not pretending, nor fearful, but being real to Him that He hears us?

May we be inspired to renew our prayer life so that we may know Christ and the power of His resurrection in a way that will astound believers and non-believers. Teach us to pray Lord!