Can you imagine eavesdropping on the Son of God as He pours out His heart in prayer? What if we could huddle in close, our ears straining to catch every word? What secrets might we uncover? What wisdom might we glean? Well, guess what? We can.
We have a powerful gift right at our fingertips – the recorded prayers of Jesus in the Bible. These are not just historical records or beautiful prose; they are intimate exchanges between the Son and the Father, encapsulating moments of raw emotion, earnest request, and profound thanksgiving. They offer us insights into Jesus’s heart.
But what do these prayers tell us? How do they guide our own conversations with the divine? And more importantly, how can they inspire us to forge a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God? In the Bible, we find Jesus — the Son of God, the Savior of the world — on His knees in prayer. Why? What can we learn from Him?
These are the questions we’re going to explore as we delve into “All Recorded Prayers of Jesus.” Join me on this. Let’s go beyond the surface and dive deep into these sacred conversations. Together, we’ll walk through each prayer and listen, really listen, to the heart of Jesus. Who knows? Perhaps we’ll discover something that will forever change the way we pray.
Are you ready to journey into the heart of Jesus? To learn from His words, His petitions, His praises, and His heartaches? Then let’s turn the page and step into the divine dialogue.
(Before you proceed, please also read “The Prayer life of Jesus: 14 Life-changing Lessons to Learn” It gives you more details on how Jesus prayed and what to learn from His prayer life style.)
Table of Contents
Recorded Prayers of Jesus in the Book of Matthew
We shall begin with the Gospel of Matthew, the first book of the New Testament. The prayers found here offer insights into Jesus’ relationship with His Father. Let’s dive into these remarkable prayers.
Matthew 11:25-26
Here, we encounter one of Jesus’ prayers of thanksgiving. Jesus addresses the Father: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.”
Matthew 26:39, 42
We then move to a pivotal moment in Jesus’ life – His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. In a heartfelt plea to the Father, Jesus prays, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” And again, He prays, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Matthew 27:46
Our journey through Matthew ends at the cross. Amidst His suffering, Jesus cries out, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?“
These are the prayers of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew.
Recorded Prayers of Jesus in Mark
As we turn the pages to the Gospel of Mark, we continue our journey through the powerful prayers of Jesus. Mark provides a unique and compelling narrative, shedding light on Jesus’ conversations with His Father.
Mark 1:35
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a deserted place, and there He prayed.” Though the specifics of Jesus’s prayer aren’t recorded here, this verse beautifully captures the essence of His commitment to prayer.
Mark 14:36
In the intense moments in the Garden of Gethsemane, we find Jesus praying: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Mark 15:34
At the ninth hour, amidst His crucifixion, Jesus cries out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?“
In Mark’s Gospel, we continue to witness Jesus’ deep and intimate relationship with His Father expressed through prayer.
Recorded Prayers of Jesus in Luke
Our exploration brings us now to the Gospel of Luke, renowned for its detail and narrative depth. Luke’s account provides us with additional precious glimpses into Jesus’ prayer life.
Luke 10:21
In this moment of joy, Jesus prays: “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.“
Luke 22:32
As He speaks to Simon Peter, Jesus mentions His prayer for him: “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Luke 22:42
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pleads with His Father: “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”
Luke 23:34
From the cross, Jesus prays for those who are crucifying Him, saying: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.“
Luke 23:46
In His final moments on the cross, Jesus declares: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
Recorded Prayers of Jesus in John
Our journey through the prayers of Jesus culminates with the Gospel of John, rich with powerful and profound exchanges between Jesus and His Father.
John 11:41-42
In the story of Lazarus’ resurrection, Jesus prays, saying, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”
John 12:27-28
As His passion and crucifixion approach, Jesus addresses His Father saying, “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.”
John 17:1-26
Finally, in John 17, we find a lengthy prayer often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer. Here, I have broken down Jesus’ words into sections indicating for whom Jesus is praying:
Jesus begins His prayer focusing on Himself and His unique relationship with the Father:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
He then shifts His focus to His disciples:
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
“But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.”
Lastly, He expands His prayer to encompass all future believers:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Insights and Lessons from the Recorded Prayers of Jesus
From the recorded prayers of Jesus in the Bible, we can glean several insights and lessons:
1. The Importance of Intimacy with God:
Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to commune with the Father. His prayers illustrate the value of having a personal, intimate relationship with God.
2. Prayer as Submission:
In His prayers, especially the one in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus shows us that prayer is an act of submission to the will of God, not a tool for manipulating God to fulfill our desires.
3. Intercession:
In John 17, Jesus prays not only for Himself and His disciples, but also for future believers. This act of intercession models for us how we should pray for others.
4. The Centrality of God’s Glory:
Many of Jesus’ prayers focus on the glorification of God. For example, in John 17, Jesus prays for His own glorification so that He could glorify the Father. This points us to the central goal of our lives and prayers—God’s glory.
5. Prayer as a Reflection of our Beliefs:
Jesus’ prayers reflect His understanding of His own identity, His mission, and His close relationship with the Father. Similarly, our prayers often reflect what we truly believe about God and ourselves.
6. Unity of Believers:
In John 17, Jesus prays for the unity of all believers. This underscores the importance of harmony within the Christian community as a testimony to the world about Jesus.
7. Honesty and Vulnerability in Prayer:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrates complete honesty and vulnerability before the Father, teaching us that it’s okay to express our feelings and fears to God in prayer.
8. Persistence in Prayer:
In His instruction to the disciples in Luke 11:5-13, Jesus emphasizes persistence in prayer, encouraging us not to give up but to keep on praying. [Related article: 5 Lessons from the Parable of the Persistent Widow: The Secret to Effective Prayer.]
From these prayers of Jesus, we learn not just how to pray, but how to live a life rooted in an intimate relationship with God, centered around His will and His glory, marked by selfless love for others, and characterized by unity, honesty, vulnerability, and persistence.
Some Questions to Consider
1. Why did Jesus pray if He is God?
Jesus, as part of the Holy Trinity, is indeed God. Yet, when He took on human form in the incarnation, He fully embraced humanity, which included a dependency on communication with the Father. His prayers exemplify His reliance on the Father and the Holy Spirit. By praying, Jesus showed His followers an example of a proper relationship with God, one that is based on communication, submission, and dependence. Check my article on “10 Reasons Why Jesus Prayed: Why Did Jesus Pray If He Is God?” There, I answered the question thoroughly.
2. What can we learn from Jesus’ prayers in the Bible and how do they guide our own conversations with the divine?
Jesus’ prayers in the Bible provide us with valuable insights into the nature of prayer. From His example, we learn that prayer is a time of intimacy and communion with God. It is not just about presenting our requests or needs, but about aligning our will with God’s. Jesus’ prayers show us the importance of surrender, intercession for others, and the pursuit of God’s glory. Furthermore, His prayers demonstrate sincerity, reverence, and complete trust in God. When we model our prayers after Jesus’, we embrace these attitudes and bring ourselves into closer alignment with the divine will.
3. What does Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveal about His humanity?
Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, found in Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-42, and Luke 22:39-46, is one of the most poignant moments in the Gospels. Here, we see Jesus in deep agony, wrestling with the anticipation of His suffering and crucifixion. Jesus prays, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” His prayer shows His deep emotional anguish and His desire to avoid the impending suffering, demonstrating His full humanity. However, it also reveals His complete submission to the Father’s will, affirming His divine nature.
4. Are there prayers of Jesus outside the four Gospels?
The Gospels provide the most extensive record of Jesus’ life and teachings, including His prayers. However, there are references and allusions to Jesus’ prayer life in other parts of the New Testament as well. For instance, Hebrews 5:7 states, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” In Romans 8:34, it is stated that Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God, implying an ongoing ministry of prayer. Also, Jesus is referred to as our Advocate with the Father in 1 John 2:1, indicating a type of prayerful intervention on our behalf.
In conclusion…
Is there a particular prayer of Jesus that captures your attention the most? By examining Jesus’ prayer examples, what can we learn about His approach to prayer, the reasons behind His prayers, and the subjects He prayed for? Which prayer resonates with you the most? Please share your thoughts and comment on the topic of Jesus’ prayers.
