Take just a second to think about how powerful an example can be. You can speak a lot of words. You can make a lot of claims. You can read a lot of Bible verses and preach a lot of sermons, but perhaps there is nothing more influential than a person’s example. This is especially true of Jesus. We are to seek to follow His example in every way. In this article, since we are going to be studying about prayer from the Sermon on the Mount over the next couple of weeks, I would like for us to consider our need to follow Jesus’ example in prayer. What if we could learn to pray in the same way that Jesus did?
First, Jesus prayed submissively. We see this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane. Facing the cross, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Jesus openly expressed His desire, but He surrendered that desire to the Father’s will. He teaches us to do the same. We should never be afraid to tell God exactly what is on our hearts. Yet every request should ultimately end with the attitude, “Not what I will, but what You will.” Prayer is not about convincing God to accept our plans. It is about submitting ourselves to His.
Second, Jesus prayed persistently. In Luke 18:1, Jesus taught His disciples “always to pray and not lose heart.” That persistence was not merely something He taught. It was also something He practiced. Back in Gethsemane, Jesus prayed the same prayer three different times (Matthew 26:39, 42, 44). Luke tells us, “Being in agony he prayed more earnestly” (Luke 22:44). Jesus did not hesitate to bring the same request before the Father again and again. Sometimes we adopt a “one and done” mentality. We ask once and never pray about it again. Jesus’ example reminds us that persistence is not a lack of faith. It is an expression of faith. God may not always answer the way we hope, but we should continue to pray without losing heart.
Third, Jesus prayed thankfully. Standing before Lazarus’ tomb, before the miracle even occurred, Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41). Likewise, in Matthew 11:25, Jesus thanked the Father for revealing truth to humble hearts rather than to those who were proud in their own wisdom. How often do our prayers become dominated by requests while gratitude receives only a few moments? James reminds us that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Every breath we take, every blessing we enjoy, and every spiritual blessing we possess in Christ comes from His gracious hand (Ephesians 1:3). If God has been that good to us, then thanksgiving should always have a place in our prayers.
Fourth, Jesus prayed deliberately. Think about how busy Jesus’ life was. Crowds followed Him everywhere. People constantly demanded His attention. Yet Mark 1:35 says, “Rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” Jesus made time for prayer. He could have slept longer or gotten an earlier start on the day’s work. Instead, He chose to spend time with His Father. The same challenge faces us today. Life is busy for everyone. We may have to wake up earlier, stay up a little later, turn off the television, or put our phones down for a while. One thing is certain: we will never pray by accident. Like Jesus, we must pray on purpose.
Jesus leaves us a powerful example of prayer. He prayed submissively, persistently, thankfully, and deliberately. If we will follow His example, our prayers will become more than words. They will become the expression of hearts that are growing to be more like Christ.
Tyler Alverson
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