Prayer is a crucial part of Christianity, and it is encouraged not only in the Bible and sermons but also in Christian books, blogs, and podcasts. Christian Scholars and Theologians have also emphasized the importance of prayer in Christianity. Different denominations have slightly different ways of approaching prayer, but something common across all of them is that it is essential and should be practiced regularly. Many wonder what Jesus has to say about prayer during His days on earth. So, how did Jesus teach us to pray?
Jesus taught us to pray in faith and supplication, praising and thanking God for who He is, without the desire to be noticed by others, as Philippians 4:6 and Matthew 6:6 suggests. Jesus also taught us to ask for God’s will to come to pass on earth through prayer. According to the Bible, Christ also emphasized the importance of praising God as we pray. Christ also taught us to ask for forgiveness as we pray and ask God for protection against temptations, as Matthew 6:9-13 implies.
What was Jesus’ take on prayers? Where in the Bible does Jesus teach about prayer? Why did Jesus teach us how to pray? Who asked Jesus to teach them how to pray? What prayer did Jesus teach His disciples? What Bible verses talk about prayer? Continue reading to discover the answers to these questions and learn so much more.
What was Jesus’ take on prayers?
Jesus considered prayers vital in establishing a relationship with the Heavenly Father. Not only was He a prayerful person during His days on earth, but he also encouraged others, including His disciples, to pray. Jesus recommended that when we pray, we do so honestly and privately. He discouraged striving to use eloquent words and repetition during prayer to impress and capture the attention of others, as Matthew 6:5-13 implies.
Jesus Christ also encouraged prayer in communion with others and considered this form of prayer powerful, as Matthew 18:19-20 suggests. This scripture implies that whatever a group of believers asks in prayer will come to pass. Jesus also encouraged people to be persistent in prayer, as Luke 11:5-9 speculates, and also pray for others, according to Luke 18:11 and John 17:6-9.
Christ also encouraged Christians to make prayer a daily habit in their lives according to Mark 1:35-39 and Luke 5:16 and assured us that God blesses us with good things when we pray, as Luke 11:11-13 implies. Jesus acknowledged that, at times, prayer can be difficult, but with persistence, it can help us get through tough spiritual journeys, as Matthew 26:36-46 suggests.
Where in the Bible does Jesus teach about prayer?
In Luke 11:1 and Matthew 6:9-13, the Bible portrays Jesus teaching about prayer. In Luke 11:1, Jesus is from praying when He’s requested to teach the disciples how to pray, then He proceeds to teach them the beautiful and popular prayer, The Lord’s Prayer. These scriptures imply that even though the disciples were always with Jesus, they didn’t know how to pray. Therefore many Theologians and preachers advise Christians that prayer doesn’t come to us. Naturally, we need to learn and practice how to pray.
In the Bible, Jesus discourages Christians from praying just to get the attention of others and encourages us to always find time for private prayer. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus tells the disciples to always pray sincerely in His name, and God will answer their prayers. This is also implied in Matthew 21:22 and John 16:23.
Why did Jesus teach us how to pray?
Jesus taught us how to pray to communicate with God and build a relationship with Him, as the Bible implies. Also, according to the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13, Christ taught us to pray to ask for God’s will to take place. In Matthew 26:41, the scripture speculates that Christ taught us to pray to avoid giving into temptation. According to Theologians, Christ taught us to pray to praise God for the blessings and favor in our lives and to release all the troubles of life to Him and let Him take over. Additionally, Christ taught us to pray so that we can always ask for forgiveness for our sins and also make requests to God for our needs, as James 5:16 and Philippians 4:6 suggest.
Who asked Jesus to teach them how to pray?
One of Christ’s disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, as Luke 11:1-4 implies. As Christian scholars and Theologians speculate, this was after the disciples had observed the prayer life of Christ and wanted to adopt the same. Christ then proceeded to teach them how to pray, the famous Lord’s Prayer. In His teaching, as Matthew 6:9-13 implies, Jesus taught the disciples to address God as their Father and praise Him for who He is. Additionally, Jesus taught the disciples to always ask for God’s will to take place on earth and in their lives as in heaven. Christ also encouraged the disciples to request God for anything they desire, and He promised that God would listen and bless them with whatever they needed.
Christ also taught the disciples to humbly and sincerely confess and ask for forgiveness whenever they are praying and ask God for protection against temptations. This is the prayer pattern that Christ taught His disciples, and that modern Christians are still following. According to theologians, this prayer model is the best as it provides a believer with the foundation of their prayer whenever they are overwhelmed and don’t know how to pray.
What prayer did Jesus teach His disciples?
Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, as Matthew 6:9-13 states. After one of Christ’s disciples requested Jesus to teach them how to pray, He proceeded to provide them with this simple prayer, as Luke 11:1-4 states. In the Lord’s Prayer, Christ teaches the disciples to start praying by addressing God as their Father, praising Him, and asking for His will to happen in their lives. In the prayer, He also taught the disciples to request God to provide them with food, ask for forgiveness and ask for God’s protection and guidance not to fall into temptation. Lastly, Jesus taught the disciples to give God glory and close the prayer with “Amen.”
Bible verses about prayer
Some Bible verses that talk about prayer include 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, “Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This verse encourages Christians to pray persistently and to always be grateful.
Ephesians 6:17-18, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” This scripture encourages believers to pray regularly and be free to request anything from God.
1st John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” This verse implies that whatever we ask God through prayer and faith, He’ll make it happen for us.
Mark 11:24, “ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” This scripture also implies that God will grant us our wishes when we make them known to Him in prayer and faith.
James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This verse also encourages Christians to confess their sins and pray not only for themselves but also for others. It also encourages communal prayer.
REFERENCES
The Teaching Of Jesus On Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer: How Jesus Taught Us To Pray
What Did Jesus Teach About Prayer?
Teach Us How To Pray – Why Now?
Jesus Teaches His Disciples To Pray
What Does The Bible Say About Prayer?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
