When Jesus was on earth, He understood the power of prayer. Even Jesus needed to pray! It’s easy to pray for our friends and family when they are in need. But the Bible tells us to also pray for our enemies which is not easy.
First, let’s answer the question of why did Jesus need to pray when He is the Son of God? The simple answer is that Jesus, as a human, knew that prayer was the way to connect to the Father. Jesus demonstrated and taught us how to reach to God by praying in His name. He showed us that no matter the circumstance, we could ask God whatever we needed and He would answer.
Let’s explore the various situations where Jesus prayed about and why it was important for Him to pray.
Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance.
As a human, Jesus needed the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance. During Jesus’ ministry, He usually taught to the crowds and also healed the sick. Sometimes instead of staying with the crowds indefinitely, he would go pray to be with His Father.
“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (Luke 5:15 NLT)
Before Jesus chose His twelve apostles, He needed wisdom to choose. One day soon afterward Jesus went to a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God, all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (Luke 6:12-13).
Prayer for Strength.
The night before Jesus was crucified, He was betrayed by Judas. Jesus knew the suffering that was coming to Him and was in spiritual agony. He went to the Mount of Olives, a place He often went to pray, and told His disciples, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.” (Luke 22:40).
He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” (Luke 22:41-46)
Prayer of Thanksgiving and Asking for God’s Blessings.
During Jesus’ ministry, He sent seventy-two disciples to preach the Good News to the surrounding towns. Jesus told them, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God who sent me.” (Luke 10:16). When the disciples returned, they gave Jesus the good report that when they use His name, miracles happen.
Then Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit and said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way.” (Luke 10:21)
On another occasion when Jesus did the miracle of the multiplication of food that fed five thousand people, He gave thanks and asked God’s blessing on the food. (Matthew 14:19) Afterward he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. (Matthew 14:23)
When Jesus’ friend, Lazarus, died, Jesus was away and when He returned Lazarus had been dead for several days. Then Jesus prayed, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:41-43)
Prayer for Your Enemies.
When Jesus was just crucified and before He died, the soldiers mocked Him. Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing. (Luke 23:34) Jesus prayed for His enemies while suffering on the cross! He asked God to forgive those who crucified Him. And He wants us to do the same and follow His example.
But if you are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you… Do for others as you would like them to do for you. (Luke 6:27-28, 31)
Jesus came to earth as the Son of God and also as a human being. As a human, He needed to pray to stay connected to the Father. He gave us plenty of examples of how to pray in every circumstance. During these difficult times we live in, we must follow Jesus’ example. We must pray not only for our friends and family but also for those who hurt us. The reason Jesus asks us to pray for others (and especially our enemies) is because when we pray, our hearts change! We pray so our hearts stay pure of anger, hatred, and envy. Therefore, it is good for us to pray for others. I leave you with these encouraging scriptures to lift your spirit!
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
(James 5:6)
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual
wisdom and understanding.
(Colossians 1:9)