Text: Luke 11:1
In our text, Jesus’ disciples asked Him to “teach [them] to pray.” In the context, Jesus went on to give them a model prayer – “the Lord’s Prayer.” However, there is another way that Jesus teaches about prayer – through His example. In this lesson, we will see what we can learn about the content of Jesus’ prayers.
Jesus Prayed for God’s Will
- This was the primary theme of His prayer in the Garden before His crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-44) – even though it meant going to the cross, Jesus wanted the Father’s will to be done
- He taught that we are to pray for this as well (Matthew 6:10)
- These are not to be empty words – we are to DO God’s will to help His will to be done (Matthew 7:21); by His example, Jesus showed the extent the which we are to do this (Philippians 2:5-8)
Jesus Prayed for God’s Glory
- Shortly before He went to the Garden, Jesus prayed with His disciples (John 17) – He prayed about God being glorified (John 17:1, 4); He glorified the Father through obedience
- We should desire for God to be glorified (Romans 15:5-6)
- If this is our prayer, we should follow the Lord’s example and glorify God through obedience (Colossians 1:10) – if we don’t obey, we can’t claim to love or fear Him (John 14:15; Romans 3:18); then we don’t truly desire for Him to be glorified
Jesus Prayed for His Disciples
- This was also in Jesus’ prayer before His death (John 17) – prayed for His disciples that they would be kept in God’s name (John 17:11), be filled with His joy (John 17:13), be kept from the evil one (John 17:15), be sanctified in the truth (John 17:17), and that they would ultimately be with Christ (John 17:24)
- We are to pray for our brethren (James 5:16) – and for the same reasons
- We fulfill this by being an encouragement to our brethren (Hebrews 3:12-13)
Jesus Prayed for the Children
- Children were brought to Jesus that He might lay hands on them and pray (Matthew 19:13) – implied that He was praying FOR them
- Children are important as the future (Matthew 19:14; 2 Timothy 1:5) and for showing us the child-like attitude that we are to have (Matthew 18:3-4; 1 Peter 2:2)
- We need to see the value of children – influence them for good (Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15); do nothing that would hinder them from coming to the Lord (Matthew 18:6)
Jesus Prayed for Unity
- Again, in Jesus’ prayer before going to the Garden He prayed for unity (John 17:20-23) – that His disciples would have the same unity that Jesus enjoyed with the Father (cf. John 10:30), that unity would be based upon God’s word (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10; Jude 3), and that unity would be perfected and a witness to the world (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33)
- The Lord wants His people to be one (Ephesians 4:1-6)
- How can we have unity? – follow the same standard (Ephesians 4:4-6), walk in love (Ephesians 5:2), and defer to others when possible (Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12:18)
Conclusion
- What we have noticed is not an exhaustive list of things we can pray for
- But it is helpful to notice what Jesus prayed for while He was here on the earth
- We can fulfill His prayer by doing God’s will and bringing glory to Him
