Seven Marks of a DiscipleSample

Mark Two: A disciple prays and fasts.

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” —Luke 11:1

On a number of occasions, we’re told in Scripture that Jesus pulled away to pray. We can imagine that His disciples eventually followed Him to see what was going on.

On one such occasion, one of His disciples asked Jesus to teach the Twelve how to pray. Jesus said, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11:2-4)

What was Jesus doing when He pulled away? He was praying to the Father. He wanted to hear what the Father wanted Him to do that day and keep in step with Him. That’s just how He lived!

He modeled dependence upon the Father in such a way that the disciples could see, feel, taste, and touch it. He poured His life into them. That’s disciple-making. And that’s what God gives us the privilege of doing in the lives of other people—providing we follow Jesus’ example and become men and women for whom prayer is a priority!

Fasting is a spiritual discipline Jesus invites His followers to practice. Jesus taught His disciples to fast, in fact when questioned why His disciples didn’t fast, He made it clear that when He, the bridegroom, has left the world His disciples would fast (Matt. 9:1-15). And they did (Acts 13:2). A disciple prays and fasts!