Jesus prayed often. His prayers reveal His relationship with the Father and His heart for humanity. The Bible records several of these prayers, each with a distinct purpose. Some were for guidance, others for strength, and many for His disciples and followers.
His prayers teach us how to approach God. They show humility, trust, and surrender. They also reveal His mission and deep love for people. This article lists every recorded prayer of Jesus in Scripture. Each one is examined with references to where it appears. Studying them helps us understand His faith and how we should pray.
The Complete List of all the Prayers of Jesus in the Bible
#1. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4)
The Lord’s Prayer is a model for Christian prayer. It is both simple and profound, teaching believers how to address God with reverence and humility. Jesus begins by acknowledging God’s holiness, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name,” focusing on God’s majesty.
Next, He asks for God’s kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This sets the priority of God’s plans over personal desires. Jesus then prays for daily bread, acknowledging dependence on God for physical needs. Forgiveness is a key theme, as Jesus asks for pardon, while also urging forgiveness toward others. Finally, He seeks protection from evil, underscoring God’s role in spiritual protection. This prayer reflects balance in addressing both personal needs and God’s glory.
#2. The Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:6-19)
Jesus’ prayer for His disciples is one of deep concern for their well-being and spiritual protection. He acknowledges their faith and the Father’s gift of them to Him. His first request is that the Father protect them from the evil one, knowing the disciples will face numerous challenges.
He also prays that they may be sanctified, or set apart, by the truth of God’s Word. Jesus knows they will need the strength to carry out His mission after He is gone. He asks the Father to help them remain faithful, even in the face of persecution. This prayer illustrates Jesus’ deep concern for the disciples’ spiritual growth and their future role in spreading the gospel. It reflects a heart of intercession for others, focusing on their spiritual needs rather than His own.
#3. The Prayer for Unity Among Believers (John 17:20-23)
In this portion of His prayer, Jesus shifts His focus to all believers, both present and future. He prays for unity, that all believers may be one, just as He and the Father are one. This unity is vital for the strength and witness of the Church.
Jesus emphasizes that this unity will serve as proof to the world that He was sent by God. The world will recognize the truth of His message through the love and unity shown by believers. Jesus’ prayer highlights that unity is not optional but is central to the mission of the Church. This unity reflects the perfect relationship between Jesus and the Father, serving as a model for how believers should relate to one another.
#4. The Gethsemane Prayer (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42)
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experiences the intense emotional weight of His coming crucifixion. His prayer reveals His humanity, as He asks the Father, “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me.” He expresses a desire to avoid the suffering ahead, but He quickly submits to God’s will.
“Yet not as I will, but as You will,” Jesus says, showing His complete obedience to the Father’s plan. The prayer reveals both His personal anguish and His willingness to obey the divine purpose. It also illustrates the tension between human emotions and divine calling. Jesus’ submission to God’s will, despite the immense cost, sets an example of trusting God even in difficult circumstances.
#5. The Prayer on the Cross (First Cry) (Luke 23:34)
While on the cross, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” This prayer is remarkable because it is an expression of forgiveness in the face of immense suffering. Despite being wrongly condemned and crucified, Jesus’ heart is one of mercy.
Jesus’ request for forgiveness is not just for the soldiers but for all who participated in His unjust execution. His prayer reveals the depth of God’s mercy, extending even to His enemies. It also shows Jesus’ commitment to His mission of reconciliation, even as He faces death. This prayer challenges believers to forgive others, no matter the offense, just as Jesus forgave those who wronged Him.
#6. The Prayer on the Cross (Second Cry) (Luke 23:46)
Jesus’ second cry from the cross is a prayer of surrender: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” This moment marks the end of Jesus’ earthly life and His complete trust in God. Jesus, knowing His mission is complete, surrenders His spirit to the Father.
This prayer reveals Jesus’ unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty, even as He faces death. His words reflect the confidence that comes from a deep relationship with the Father. It is a prayer of complete surrender, demonstrating the ultimate act of obedience. Jesus’ willingness to submit to God’s will, even in the face of death, is a profound example for believers to follow.
#7. The Prayer on the Cross (Third Cry) (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34)
The third cry from the cross is a cry of anguish: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” This statement expresses the intense emotional pain Jesus feels as He experiences separation from the Father. It is a moment of spiritual desolation, as Jesus bears the weight of sin.
This cry is a direct quote from Psalm 22, which foretells the suffering of the Messiah. Jesus’ use of this Psalm connects His suffering to Scripture and demonstrates His fulfillment of prophecy. His words express the depth of His sacrifice, as He takes on the full weight of humanity’s sin. This prayer highlights the emotional cost of redemption, showing that Jesus experienced the full range of human suffering, even spiritual abandonment.
#8. The Prayer of Thanksgiving for the Father’s Revelation (Matthew 11:25-27; Luke 10:21)
In this prayer, Jesus thanks the Father for revealing divine truths to the humble rather than the wise or learned. Jesus praises God for hiding these truths from the proud and revealing them to those who are open-hearted. He celebrates God’s sovereignty in choosing how He reveals knowledge.
This prayer highlights the importance of humility in receiving God’s truth. Jesus’ gratitude reflects the joy of seeing God’s plan unfold, not through human wisdom but through divine revelation. He acknowledges that the Father has entrusted Him with all things, showing the close relationship between them. This prayer challenges believers to approach God with humility and openness, ready to receive His wisdom.
#9. The Prayer of Thanks for Lazarus’ Resurrection (John 11:41-42)
Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus prays a simple prayer of thanks. He thanks the Father for hearing Him and acknowledges that He always hears Him. This prayer is not a request but a declaration of confidence in God’s will and power.
Jesus’ prayer serves as a public testimony of His relationship with the Father. He does not need to pray to raise Lazarus, but He prays to strengthen the faith of those around Him. His words remind everyone that the miracle is not by His power alone, but by God’s will. This prayer reveals the deep connection between Jesus and the Father and affirms that all miracles are part of God’s plan.
Closing Thoughts
The prayers of Jesus provide profound insight into His relationship with the Father and His mission on earth. Each prayer reveals His obedience, compassion, and deep care for humanity. From teaching His disciples how to pray to intercede for them, Jesus exemplifies the importance of prayer in a believer’s life.
His prayers on the cross show His willingness to sacrifice for the salvation of others, and His prayers of thanksgiving demonstrate His gratitude for God’s guidance. By studying these prayers, we learn how to approach God with humility, trust, and a heart of surrender.