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Patterning ourselves after Jesus


Our liturgical reading from the gospels this week is taken from Mark 1: 29-39. It describes a typical very busy day in the life of Jesus involving activities such as teaching in the synagogue (earlier in the chapter), travelling and healing a great number of people who were sick or possessed. Of course, the disciples observed and participated in what took place. It must have been a long day for everyone.

However, the next morning before anyone else was awake to notice, Jesus retreated to a deserted place for prayerful communication with His Father. This recounting, so early in Jesus’ public ministry, gives the first of many examples of personal private prayer in His life.

It is obvious in reading the gospels that Jesus puts a high priority on making time to pray. Have you ever wondered why, if Jesus is God, that was something He needed to do? I recently have had that question in my mind.

In investigating the question, I find that there are a number of reasons that Jesus prayed. Firstly, we know from scripture that He took upon Himself the form of man and was wholly human as well as wholly divine. From His human nature it was perfectly natural for a Jewish believer such as Christ to pray.

Another reason for Jesus praying to God is found in John 11:41-42 where we learn that Jesus prays before He raises Lazarus from the dead.
Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You
always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing
around, that they may believe that You sent me.

So Jesus prayed to the Father to reinforce to those around Him that He was fulfilling His Father’s will.

Jesus was dependant on and obedient to God, as he stated in John 5:30, “I can of Mine own Self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me”. Throughout His ministry He continued to seek God’s will in prayer.

Also, Jesus prayed to the Father to enjoy the fellowship of the Triune Godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Bible simply says, “Jesus prayed”, yet other times we get a glimpse of something more. Following Jesus’ baptism, He prayed and “the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:21-22). Here, within the context of a prayer, Father, Son and Spirit are revealed in perfect fellowship.

Finally, Jesus prayed to God the Father because it was an appropriate, natural and essential part of His mission on earth. His prayers set an example for us so that we might grow in intimacy with our Heavenly Father.

As Christians we rejoice in the fact that we can communicate with God directly and have a personal relationship with Him because Jesus has reconciled us through the forgiveness offered by His death on the cross which paid the price of our sins. Though obviously unique in some ways, Jesus’ prayer life—like his life in general—provides a pattern we are meant to follow.

Round out this devotional today by choosing to listen to one or two of the following messages in song.


Speak, O Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubRlJj8xkds

When We Pray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqicUCaa6ag

Be Still and Know that I Am God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDr9-Mpc_s