Pray Like Jesus By Pastor Mark DriscollSample

How Did Jesus Pray? Part 1

Most of Jesus’ prayer life is recorded to model for us methods of how to talk to the Father. Let’s look at a few examples.

Jesus prayed alone 

This is very, very important to the Christian life. Jesus prayed publicly in large and small groups, but he also prayed privately.

Mark 6:46 tells us, “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” Luke 9:18 informs us that “… he was praying alone…”

Sometimes being in the public for extended periods of time actually prompted Jesus to get away for a time, as in Luke 5:15-16: "But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray."

Thousands are coming out to hear Jesus preach and teach, miracles are happening, healings are taking place. His ministry is powerful and therefore demanding. And he needed to get away for a bit to recharge and refresh. 

He needed that. And you need that.

I think sometimes we forget what it’s like to be alone with God because even when we are by ourselves, the noise of technology is drowning out our senses. The computer’s on, the TV’s on, the phone’s on. We don’t even know what silence sounds like anymore.

For me, I like to pray while I’m moving as I find my mind is clearer. So, I will go for a hike or take a drive in my Jeep with the top off and just talk to God aloud. Or, you can redeem your commute to or from work by turning off your technology and talking to God. 

Most of us need to withdraw more frequently than we do to have a private meeting with God in prayer. I know that I have never taken this time and regretted it afterward. 

Jesus prayed God’s Word 

Here is one stunning example from Mark 15:34: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’” This lament is a direct quote from Psalm 22:1 and means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus in this instance is making the written revelation of God the verbal revelation of his prayer. This is a biblically shaped prayer life.

Bible study go together like two oars in a boat. In prayer we speak to God, and in Scripture God speaks to us.

Pray before you start reading. Pray as you’re reading, thanking God for his Word and asking God to illuminate its meaning more brightly to you. Pray when you’re done reading, and ask God to help you apply what you’ve read to your daily life.

Read and pray, read and pray, read and pray. Come in prayer to Scripture. When you read something convicting, stop and pray in repentance. When something impresses you, stop and praise God. When something reminds you of someone else, stop and pray for them.

The goal is not to just read through Scripture quickly to “get it over with,” but to make reading Scripture an act of worship, an act of prayer. You may not get through passages quickly, but those passages will stick with you. And you’ll enjoy your time in study more, because it will be shaping you in ways you can’t imagine.

 And if your prayer life is guided by Scripture, then you’ll also know you will be praying in God’s will.

Reflection:

Are you a regular Bible reader? If not, today is good day to find a Bible reading plan on the YouVersion app. As you read the Bible each day, stop to pray about what you read (e.g. for clear understanding, forgiveness, thanksgiving, other people, a practical need, etc.).