Jesus prayed often. His prayers reveal His relationship with God, His purpose, and His love for others. They show His dependence on the Father and His example for believers.
The Bible records several instances of Jesus praying in different situations. He prayed before making decisions, in times of distress, and to give thanks. His prayers were personal, powerful, and purposeful.
Studying these moments helps believers understand the importance of prayer. Jesus demonstrated when, why, and how to pray. His prayers were not empty rituals but heartfelt conversations with God.
Examples of Jesus Praying in the Bible
#1. Jesus Prays Before Choosing the Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12-13)
Before selecting His twelve apostles, Jesus spent the entire night in prayer. He needed guidance from God to make this crucial decision. The decision to choose these men was not taken lightly, as they would carry out His mission. Jesus didn’t act impulsively or from His own understanding, but sought the Father’s will.
This moment teaches us the importance of prayer before making significant decisions. In our own lives, we should seek God’s direction when faced with choices. Jesus understood the weight of choosing the right people for His purpose. His prayer before this choice is an example of relying on God’s wisdom, rather than personal opinion or emotion.
#2. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4)
The Lord’s Prayer is one of the most well-known and widely recited prayers of Jesus. In it, He offers a simple yet profound model for prayer. Jesus begins by addressing God as “Our Father,” recognizing the intimate relationship between God and His people. The prayer then emphasizes honoring God’s name and seeking His will above all.
This prayer isn’t just about asking for things. Jesus includes a petition for daily needs, forgiveness, and spiritual protection. He emphasizes forgiveness, both for our own sins and in how we forgive others. The Lord’s Prayer serves as a guide for how we should approach God—direct, humble, and in alignment with His will. It reminds us to rely on God for both our physical and spiritual needs.
#3. Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-39, Luke 22:39-46)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays intensely before His arrest. He knows what is coming: betrayal, suffering, and death. As He faces these challenges, Jesus asks God to take away the suffering if possible, but submits to God’s will. “Not my will, but Yours be done,” He prays. This moment reveals His deep emotional turmoil and the weight of His mission.
Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane is a powerful example of how to approach God in moments of distress. Even though He knows His suffering is inevitable, He chooses to trust God’s plan. His prayer demonstrates vulnerability, submission, and obedience. It shows that prayer is not only for asking, but for aligning our will with God’s, even when it involves hardship. Jesus teaches us that it’s okay to express our fears, but we must trust in God’s ultimate plan for us.
#4. Jesus Prays for Peter (Luke 22:31-32)
Before Peter’s denial, Jesus specifically prays for him. Jesus knows that Peter will fail, yet He prays that Peter’s faith will not fail. “When you have turned back, strengthen your brothers,” Jesus tells Peter. This prayer is significant because it shows Jesus’ care for Peter, even in his weaknesses. Jesus intercedes for Peter before the temptation comes.
This moment emphasizes the importance of praying for others, especially during times of trial. Jesus’ prayer is a reminder that failure is not the end, but a chance for restoration. Jesus prays for Peter’s strength, not just for his success, but for his eventual return and growth. This act of intercession shows how we should lift each other up in prayer, especially when we know others are about to face challenges.
#5. Jesus Prays for His Followers (John 17)
In John 17, Jesus offers a profound prayer for His followers. This prayer comes shortly before His crucifixion, and it reveals His deep concern for His disciples and future believers. Jesus prays for their protection, asking God to keep them safe from the evil one. He prays for their unity, that they may be one as He and the Father are one.
Jesus also prays for their sanctification, asking God to set them apart for His purpose. This prayer isn’t just for the disciples of His time, but for all believers who would come to faith through their message. Jesus demonstrates how we should pray for others, asking God to protect, guide, and strengthen them in their faith. This prayer shows His desire for unity within the Church and the spiritual growth of His followers.
#6. Jesus Thanks God for Revealing Truth (Matthew 11:25-27, Luke 10:21-22)
In Matthew 11 and Luke 10, Jesus offers a prayer of thanksgiving to God. He thanks God for revealing spiritual truths to the humble and hiding them from the wise and learned. Jesus acknowledges that only through God’s grace can people truly know Him. All knowledge of God, Jesus says, comes through the Father, and He is grateful for this revelation.
This prayer underscores God’s sovereign role in revealing truth. Jesus shows that wisdom is not something we earn through effort or intelligence, but is a gift from God. In this moment, He praises God for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to those with humble hearts. Jesus encourages us to be thankful for the wisdom and truth God grants us, and to recognize that our understanding is ultimately His gift.
#7. Jesus Prays Before Feeding the Five Thousand (John 6:11)
Before feeding the five thousand, Jesus gives thanks to God for the loaves and fish. He takes the small amount of food, lifts it up, and offers a prayer of gratitude. Jesus models a simple but powerful practice: giving thanks for what God provides, no matter how little it seems. He acknowledges God as the source of all provision.
This moment teaches the importance of gratitude, even in seemingly ordinary circumstances. Jesus’ prayer was not about asking for more but acknowledging God’s goodness in what He had. Before performing a miracle, He pauses to thank God. This shows us that prayer is not only about requests but about giving thanks for the blessings we already have. It encourages us to be thankful, recognizing God’s provision in every aspect of our lives.
#8. Jesus Prays on the Cross (Luke 23:34, Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46)
While on the cross, Jesus prays multiple times. In His greatest moment of suffering, He asks God to forgive those who are crucifying Him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” He prays. Despite the immense physical pain and emotional anguish, Jesus shows compassion.
Later, He cries out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This prayer, while expressing His sense of abandonment, shows Jesus’ trust in God despite His feelings. These prayers teach us that even in our darkest moments, we should turn to God. Jesus, in His humanity, shows us that it’s okay to express feelings of abandonment and despair, but it’s also vital to continue seeking God. His prayers from the cross serve as a powerful example of love, forgiveness, and faith in God’s plan.
Closing Thoughts
Jesus’ prayers in the Bible offer a clear example of how to approach God in various circumstances. From seeking guidance in decision-making to expressing deep emotions in times of distress, His prayers model both humility and trust. They teach us that prayer is not only about asking, but about aligning our will with God’s and trusting His plan.
Jesus’ example encourages us to pray with sincerity, for ourselves and others, recognizing God as the ultimate source of wisdom, strength, and provision. His life of prayer reminds us of the importance of maintaining a close relationship with the Father.