SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES BY OUTLINE #

Here, as I promised, are the scriptural references that relate to the study of "The Prayer Life of Jesus."  I have listed them in the order of the Gospels in the New Testament, as well as the order of the outline numbers.

Outline # I                        Outline # II                       Outline # III


Matt. 11:25                      Matt. 6:5                           Matt. 26:36-46
Matt. 14:13                      Matt. 6:6                           Mark 14:32-42
Matt. 14:23                      Matt. 6:7                           Mark 15:34
Matt. 19:13                      Matt. 6:8                           Luke 22:41-46
Matt. 26:26                      Matt. 6:9                           John 17
Matt. 26:39                      Matt. 6:14-15                      1. vs. 1-5 (to God)
Mark 1:35                        Matt. 7:7-12                        2. vs. 6-19 (for the 12)
Mark 6:41                        Matt. 18:19                         3.  vs. 20-26 (for all
Mark 6:46                        Matt. 21:22                              believers)
Mark 8:6-7                       Matt. 26:41
Mark 14:22-23                 Matt. 26:52-54                 For Study in general
Luke 4:42                         Matt.  27:46                        Luke 18:31-34
Luke 5:16                         Mark 9:29
Luke 6:12, 13-16 &         Mark 11:24-25
         17-49                      Luke 9:18
Luke 9:10-11                   Luke 9:28-29
Luke 9:16                        Luke 11:1-4, 5-13
Luke 9:18                        Luke 18:1 (1-18)
Luke 9:28-29                   Luke 18-9-14
Luke 11:1                        Luke 22:31-32
Luke 22:17 & 19             Luke 22:40
Luke 22:31-32                 John 11:4 1-42
Luke 23:33-34 &             John 12:27-28
         44-46                      John 14:13-14
Luke 24:30 (13-35)         John 14:16
John 6:11                         John 16:23-24
John 12:27-28                  John 16:26

As I prepared for this study, my procedure was simple, but detailed.  First, I read all the Gospels and listed every reference to prayer from Jesus.  Secondly, I placed all the references that related to the same occasion or subject together.  Third, the outline itself developed.

With the outline, previously posted, and the scriptural references by outline, I hope that any of you who are interested will find a workable study for personal use and/or small group  purposed.  A final part of my preparation entailed the listing of the references as they appeared in the Gospels, with a note regarding the out line # and a notation about the scripture itself.  This was to remember to what the specific reference pertained.

If any of you wish to have that final listing to complete your materials for your own study, please email me.  You will find how to contact me by going to my complete profile. If you wish you may also state your wishes in a comment to the blog.

You have my sincere thanks and prayers for your participation in my feeble attempts to blog about my wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

PROPOSED OUTLINE FOR STUDY

As I promised in my last post, the following is the outline that I developed in my personal study on Jesus' prayer life.  After today's post, I will also follow this up with a listing of the scriptural references used for each part.  It is my sincere hope that you will be able to use them in your study should you decide to continue with it.

I.   Personal Prayer Habits of Jesus
     A.  mountain side
     B.  alone
     C.  all night
     D.  a little farther
     E.  prayers of thanks before his breaking bread

II.  Teachings on Prayer
      A.  persistence
           1.  friend at midnight
           2.  widow and judge
           3.  ask, seek, knock
      B.  the prayer taught to the disciples (the Lord's Prayer?)
      C.  why pray if He knows already what we have need of (Matt. 6:7)
      D.  participatory and relationship prayer

III. Special Prayers of Jesus
     A.  Gethsemane
     B.  John 17
     C.  Living what He taught (Father, forgive, they don't know what thy're doing)
     D.  Praying for Peter--Luke 22:31-32, that his faith wouldn't fail.  And, when
           you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
           John 21:15-22--Jesus' follow through on this with 3 denial and 3 directives.

BLOG TO BE DISCONTINUED

My last post for this blog was on July 8, 2011.  At that time my remarks were regarding the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples (most often called "The Lord's Prayer").

Since that time I have come to realize that my life's schedule does not allow me to continue with this study.  I had assumed that my 'retired' status would be perfect for the time required.  However, the focus and concentration needed for a study of such magnitude and relevance to each Christian is just not available for me now.

My wife and I have found a new direction for our lives in a caretaker's situation.  This is definitely not a complaint since we made a deliberate decision to be here, both where we are and what we are doing.

Over the next several days, I will be posting the outline (with limited remarks) for my study of God's Word on "The Prayer Life of Jesus."  For any of you who are interested, please feel free to continue with the study.  You are most welcome to use the outline that I shall be posting.

The sister blog, "One Christian's Sharing," will be continued, since it does not require the time nor focus as "The Prayer Life of Jesus" study.

I hope my sharing of my life lessons and observations will be a blessing in your life.  As you read it, I also hope that you will share your comments so that we may all "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18a).

Your thoughts and comments are both welcome and appreciated.

PART II--TEACHING ON PRAYER (THE LORD'S PRAYER, CONT.)

OMG is not a substitute for addressing God in our praying.  In fact, taking the risk of being called legalistic, such use is probably best considered "taking the name of the Lord in vain."

No better way could there be than to emulate Jesus in praying--even as to the address itself, "Father."  Jesus, on earth, was Son of God-sinless and holy. (Hebrews 4:15)  He was also Son of Man-God in the flesh. (John 1:14)  As such, in His praying, Jesus addressed God as Father.  See His prayers, in Gethsemane-Luke 22:42; for His disciples-John 17:1; on the cross-Luke 23:34 and 46.

So, in teaching His disciples to pray, He began the address, "Our Father."  How marvelous that Jesus called God, "Father" and then teaches us to do the same.  "Our Father" --meaning His and mine!

The words that follow "which art in heaven" do not indicate a God that is far off and not approachable.  Those words simply mean that He is our spiritual father.  Jesus told the woman at the well that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24 KJV)

God is approachable.  I do not go through anyone else.  Through Jesus Christ, (i.e. God Himself), I am able to get to the "Head Man Himself."  Forgive my colloquialism, but it doesn't get any better than this!  I pray to God and God alone.

"Hallowed be Thy Name" is a recognition that God is sacred and holy, and, that I am willing and committed to His being sacred and holy.  Help me, Lord, to always be respectful of Who You are and of Your holiness.

OMG is not a part of my vocabulary.  That is not to imply that I am (or think I am) better than anyone else.  It just means that my convictions of the sacredness of God does not include that.

I urge you to pray as Jesus taught us and really mean it when you address Him, "Our Father."


Please add your thoughts and comments below.

PART II--TEACHING ON PRAYER (THE LORD'S PRAYER)

The most universally known, quoted, and, yes, even prayed prayer in all Christendom is undoubtedly this one, called THE LORD'S PRAYER.  Sometimes it is referred to as the "Our Father."

Matthew records Jesus' teaching of this prayer as a part of the "Sermon on the Mount," specifically in Chapter 6, verses 9-15.  Luke's version of this teaching is found in his gospel, Chapter 11, verses 1-4.  He gives this response of Jesus to a request from His disciples to "teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

In teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus gave the twelve (and all the world afterward) a prayer to be prayed.  But He was also giving them, and us, a model to use in every situation.

There is no indication even hinted in the scriptures, that this (or any other prayer) was to be repeated as a discipline or punishment.  Nor does Jesus imply to us that saying the words of the "Lord's Prayer" themselves benefit us.

Jesus was teaching about prayer.

• To Whom to pray
• What to include in our praying and why.
• How to present our physical needs.
• How to present our spiritual needs, and, above all,
• Commitment to the will of the Father.  

Do you spend time regularly in prayer?

What is your level of commitment to His will?

Join with me in learning all Jesus intended for us to learn about praying.

You are encouraged to ask questions and/or comment in the space below.

PART II--TEACHINGS ON PRAYER (PERSISTENCE)

Prayer for far too many of us has come to fall in one or two categories.  On the one hand, there is

The "Gimme" mentality.


Many of us have a "Santa Claus god."  "Here's my list, Lord. Gimme what I want."  Those of us who pray after this manner usually fall for the "name it and claim it" fallacy.  Oops, did I step on some toes?

Yes, there are many promises in the Bible that may give one the idea that you can "name it" and then, by faith, "claim it."  For example, John 14:13-14.  Here John quotes Jesus.  Pretty good authority, huh?  "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." (verse 13)  This is followed, in verse 14, with, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it." (KJV).

The only qualification in these verses is "in my name."  So, we give our list and close our "prayers" with "in Jesus' name I pray, amen."  Now, when do I get it?  When are my prayers going to be answered?

How often are we disappointed that our "prayers in Jesus' name" are not answered?


The problem with this interpretation of this wonderful promise is within us.  "In my name" means "on my authority."  An "ambassador for Christ" (II Corinthians 5:20 KJV) acts on the Word and full authority of Jesus.  We must be acting within His will.

We, too often, try to obligate God to give us the desires of our heart.  Didn't I follow the rules just right?  I said, "In Jesus' name."


The second category into which many of our prayers fall is

"Pray it and Leave it."


Didn't I bring it to the Lord?  I said who/what I was praying for, didn't I?  Now my part has been done.  It's up to God...as in the song, "Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there."

This leads us to the teaching of Jesus on

Persistence in Praying.


In Webster's dictionary, the word persist is defined as "to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition."  Persistent is defined as "continuing in spite of interferences."

How often do you pray (or intend to pray) when some type of opposition or interference blocks your efforts? The devil is quick to attempt to keep anyone from praying.  The kids, the phone, the knock at the door, the headache...all are prime interferences to prayer time.

One scripture that refers to Jesus' teaching on persistence is Luke 11:5-8.  Here Jesus relates the story of a man whose friend, on a long journey, stops at midnight and, per custom, expects food and lodging.  In order to feed his guest, he goes to his neighbor friend, explains the circumstances and gets the bread he needs.  Jesus said, regarding the neighbor friend, that he did not help his friend because they were friends, but, rather for his importunity.

The word importunity is defined as "overly persistent."  In other words, the man received the help he needed because he kept on knocking.  He was "overly persistent" in the attempt to get food for his guest.

When we pray, Jesus is saying, it must be overly persistent.  Ask, seek, knock...and keep at it until the answer comes.  We are not just to ask and wait until we get a reply.

In Revelation 3:20, Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock;  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." (KJV).  Aren't you glad that He keeps on knocking?

I'm grateful that, in Gethsemane, (Luke 22:42, Mark 14:32-39), Jesus persisted in praying, "not my will, but thine be done," even though the answer to His prayer meant His death for you and me.

That's Persistence!!


Another lesson in persistence is found in Jesus' parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18:1-8.  In the first verse, Luke gave the purpose of the parable Jesus told.  "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint." (KJV).  The lesson of the parable is persistence in prayer.


Many have interpreted the parable so that God is the judge and that must be incorrect.  Jesus said of the judge that he did not fear God, nor have regard for man.  The judge was only interested in himself and his convenience.  Therefore, he only granted the widow's plea in order to not be troubled by her persistence.

I have heard of many a Mother's prayers for a child to come to the Lord.  Nothing would keep her from praying daily for the salvation of her son or daughter.  Quietly, being "overly persistent."  Not nagging, just persisting.  Not giving up in spite of opposition or interferences.

Can you imagine the joy she has when her prayer is answered?


Can you imagine the joy and celebration in heaven over that sinner that repents? (Luke 15:10)


Persistence in Prayer pays big dividends!!


Do you have such an experience in your prayer life?  Share it in the comment section below.  


Christian's share in order to help others.  Your comments are appreciated.

PART II--TEACHING ON PRAYER Relationship Prayers

Jesus was the Master Teacher.  Mind you, not "just a great teacher."  But, rather, He was (and still is) The Master Teacher.  He used all kinds of teaching methods.  In the last post we saw how He taught "how to" by first teaching "how not to."  This time He teaches the present subject by example and personal action.

Just what is relationship prayer?


Praying can include a variety of purposes such as praise, worship, confession, repentance, supplication, etc.  It may be aloud or silent; public or private; standing, kneeling and so forth.  Relationship praying may contain any or all of the above, but always it is born of the special relation between the one praying and the One to Whom prayed.  Since it is from a unique relation between the two, the One to Whom prayed is equally involved.

Allow me to give a personal illustration, albeit very earthy in comparison.


My wife, Sue, and I have been married now for (coming up on) thirty-five years.  There are many differences between us.  She is several years younger than I.  She was reared in a vastly different family background.  The list of dissimilarities is long.  These years have not all been smooth, but she has "put up with" me in spite of the rough times.

Sometimes we could sit on our front porch and talk for hours about nothing or about everything.  Often we don't even have to talk.  Many times we react the same or come to the same conclusions about circumstances that we haven't discussed.  All of this is because of the relationship we have developed during the last thirty-five years.

Many of you, in all likelihood, have such special relationships with your spouse, friend or parents.
Relationship praying stems from such a developed relationship.

In teaching His followers then, and us today, Jesus prayed to His Father out of such a special relationship.  After all, He was talking to His Father, with Whom Jesus had already spent an eternity past. (John 1:1).  In addition to being the Son of God, Jesus said, "...he that hath seen me hath seen the Father..." (John 14:9b KJV).  He said, even more specifically in John 10:30 (KJV), "I and my Father are one."  Obviously, then, when Jesus prayed, it was not just a recitation or ritual.  It was a communication of a special relationship between Two Who could not be closer.

The gospels are filled with references to the relationship of God, the Son, and God, the Father.  Some examples are Luke 1:26-38 (esp. v.32), Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 11:25-27, Matthew 17:1-5 and John 17:1-5.  Chapter 17 of John's gospel will be dealt with separately in Part III--Special Prayers of Jesus.  I highly recommend that you take time to read the references above to refresh your memory of Jesus' relationship with His Father.

It was out of that relationship with His Father that Jesus prayed the prayers above.  Through

• His prayers,
• His instructions and actions surrounding those prayers, and
• the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in giving us the legacy of His written Word--

He has taught about praying relationship prayers.

Two of these have had the greatest impact on me.

1.  The actions He took surrounding His Gethsemane prayer. (Matthew 26:36-46 and Luke 22:39-46)

2.  The last prayer He prayed before His death. (Luke 23:44-46 and John 19:28-30).

After the "Last Supper" and before His crucifixion, Jesus went out to the garden Of Gethsemane.  The disciples followed along.  Luke recorded that Jesus then instructed the disciples to "pray that you do not fall into temptation."  After those instructions "He withdrew about a stones throw beyond them...and prayed."

Matthew remembered that Jesus went with His disciples to Gethsemane.  He then instructed them to sit while He prayed.  Taking Peter, James and John, Jesus instructs these three to "keep watch with me."  At that point He went "a little farther...and prayed."

Earlier I referred to my relationship with my wife.  Because of that relationship, when important decisions have to be made for our family, I always want to discuss it with her first.  Even, in the case of "emergency" decisions, I make them based on the experience of our relationship.

I believe that's what Jesus was doing here.  He had a close relationship with these twelve men that had been developed over the previous three years.  But, the most important part of His mission on earth was being finalized.  He wanted to "discuss" it with the One with Whom He (Jesus) had the closest relationship--His Father.

So, He went "a little farther."  The discussion ran like this--"If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39 NIV)

What a relationship!

What a relationship prayer!!

On the cross Jesus agonized.  His pain was great.  But other people had been crucified before.  In fact, two thieves were being crucified at the same time as He.  Now, I'm not belittling the pain and suffering of Jesus during His being nailed to and hung on the cross.  However, I'm convinced that there was a greater pain.  That greater pain was the burden of the sins of the whole world!

Jesus was the sinless Son of God in human form. (Hebrews 4:15)  And, yet, as His mission on earth, given to Him by His Father, Jesus bore "our transgressions." (Isaiah 53:5)  Only He could be the perfect sacrifice that was called for.  Only One with a perfect relationship with God could provide that which would satisfy completely God's call for death as a price for sin.  But, also, only  He could be resurrected from that death because of His relationship to the Father.

This is why I believe that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life." (John 14:6 KJV).

Jesus, having fulfilled all that the Scripture required of Him in His mission (John 19:28 KJV), He could say "Into thy hands I commend my Spirit" (Luke 23:46) and "It is finished." (John 19L30 KJV).  Praise the Lord. He finished His job!

Father, help me to develop the kind of relationship with You, that I can say with Paul, "I have fought a good fight.  I have finished my course.  I have kept the faith." (II Timothy 4:7 KJV).  When my life is over, whenever that may be, may I be able to say--through the righteousness of Jesus--it is finished.

Do you pray out of desperation?

Are your prayers "gimme" prayers?

Or, do you pray from a special relationship with God?

Take the time to share with others and comment below.

PART II--TEACHING ON PRAYER Eliminating hypocrisy and paganism from our prayers

A religious hypocrite is one who only plays the part of having godly virtues.  The underlying motive is for self-aggrandizement, i.e., making oneself appear greater than one really is.

In His teaching of "how to", Jesus very often taught first "how not to."  Thus, Jesus started His teaching on prayer, in Matthew 6:6, with
     1.  "when you pray"--assuming not "if" but "when"; and,
     2.  "do not be like..."--in other words, "how not to."

Is it wrong to pray in church or on a street corner, or, for that matter, in a restaurant before a meal?  Of course not!  UNLESS,---unless those prayers are given to be "seen by men."  That makes it hypocrisy!  Jesus then explained that when one is "seen" praying for the purpose of "being seen", he/she already has his/her reward.

In verse 7, Jesus says again, "And when you pray, do not..."  Then He continues, "...keep on babbling like pagans," (NIV) or "...use vain repetitions, as the heathen do." (KJV).  He clarifies, "...they think they will be heard because of their many words." (NIV).  Here, the pagans (heathen) may or may not be praying "to be seen" as the hypocrite, but they are definitely going about it in the wrong way.  Repeating words, prayers or rituals do not take the place of a right relationship with God.

Now, Jesus gets around to the "how to" pray and "how to" eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in one's praying.


Jesus makes such practical sense!  In order to eliminate praying "to be seen", (hypocrisy), He says, in verse 6 of Matthew 6, to go where you can't be seen.  "...Go to your room, close the door, and pray..." (NIV).  The KJV reads, "...enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray..."

When one prays where he knows he can't be seen, then he is no longer concerned with hypocrisy.  But, then, God sees in secret and He rewards openly.  His way is amazing, isn't it?

As far as the pagans are concerned with their "babbling" and "vain repetitions," Jesus answers them in verse 8.    The Father knows their need of a right relationship with Him before they pray.  That right relationship is received by "grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8) and not in rituals, repetitions or deeds.

Read Luke 18:9-14.  Here is a parable from Jesus that beautifully illustrates hypocrisy in prayer and how to get rid of it.

Read Romans 6, for more on being saved by grace through faith.

Have you let Jesus eliminate hypocrisy and paganism in your prayer life?


What are your greatest strengths (weaknesses) in praying?


Share with others in your comments (questions) below.


Our next post will be about relationship prayer.

    

PART II--TEACHING ON PRAYER (INTRODUCTION)

In His personal life Jesus prayed prayers of thanksgiving  (Mark 6:41), praise (Matthew 11:25) and intercession (Luke 22:32).  He prayed specifically to God regarding the relationship They had and the mission the Son was given by the Father.  He prayed for the disciples and for all of us who believe on Him through their word. (John 17).

But, He didn't do all the praying for everybody.  He taught His twelve disciples to pray (Luke 11), as well as all His followers (Matthew 6).  His teaching about prayer was meant to be far more than a recitation of words.  In Matthew 6, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus did not say "Pray this prayer," or "Pray these words."  He said, rather, "After this manner therefore pray ye..."(Matthew 6:9 KJV).  He was helping to develop how to pray--not just soliciting so many "Our Father's".

Our study of the teaching on prayer by Jesus will be more focused on the hows and whys--even ways (or manners)--not so much on words to use.  To a large degree, the what to pray changes constantly--according to people, their needs and the answers we get from previous prayers.

The subjects we'll be covering are

*  Eliminating hypocrisy in prayer,


*  What is relationship prayer?


*  What is participatory prayer?


*  Persistence in prayer,


*  Praying for His will,


*  Praying in Jesus' name,


*  Possibilities of prayer.


What are some questions you have about prayer?


What are the most outstanding answers to prayer you have had?


What are some areas in your praying that you feel you need the most help in?


Comment in the space below.  Ask questions--in open comments or in private messages.  I promise you will get a response.

PERSONAL PRAYER HABITS OF JESUS (Cont.)

One side of Jesus' personal prayer habits, as we saw in earlier posts, was His public praying--giving thanks for daily bread.  There is no doubting His sincerity in giving thanks publicly.  His was no flowery delivery designed to impress the masses.  He devoted a large part of His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34) to recognizing that our needs will be met through God Who knows what our needs are, if we seek Him first.  Jesus was publicly offering thanks and, at the same time, was teaching by practicing what He preached.

Another area of Jesus' personal prayer habits was His private praying.  Praying in public can be an important part of worshiping with other Christians.  It can also be used by the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to the non-believer.  But public praying by people who do not spend time in private prayer will rarely be effective.

Luke recorded in Luke 22:31-32 that Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him privately that his faith would not fail.  This came with Jesus knowing that Peter would deny Him (see 22:34).  How marvelous it is  to know that Jesus is praying for you!  Even today, "He always lives to intercede" for God's people (see Hebrews 7:25 NIV).

The gospels gave several characteristics regarding Jesus and His private praying.  Some of those were "on the mountain side (Matthew 14:23 and Mark 6:46), "alone" (Matthew 14:23b), "a solitary place" (Mark 1:35), "all night" (Luke 6:12) and "a little farther" (Matthew 26:39).

Occasionally, the gospel writers would combine some of these characteristics; i.e., "on a mountainside alone" (Matthew 14:23), or, in Luke 6:12, "He went out into a mountainside to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (KJV).  It has always been especially impressive and meaningful to me that when Jesus took His disciples (or some of them) with Him to pray, He is said to have gone "a little farther," and then He prayed privately.

Obviously, Jesus took His private prayer life seriously.


Lord, help me to take my prayer life seriously, too.  May I not just talk about it.  Forgive me for not making prayer more of a priority in my life.


*Have you ever spent all night in prayer?

*Do you make it a habit to go "a little farther" than is normally expected in interceding for others?

*Join with me in developing both our public and private praying, following His example.

Your comments are appreciated and helpful.  Your questions will be addressed and hopefully answered.  Thank you for reading and sharing with your friends and readers.

PART I--THE PERSONAL PRAYER HABITS OF JESUS (CONT.)

My prayer, at the end of my last post, was partially, "teach me to be thankful."  I recall praying that same prayer at a mealtime years ago, only it was "teach us how to be thankful."  Afterward, someone very dear to me said, "Pray that for yourself if you want to, but be careful what you ask for."  She knew that one way to be taught how to be thankful for food was to do without it.  Although I never have, she has.  My prayer has changed since to "teach me to be thankful."

Paul had learned this lesson.  In the passage of Scripture in his letter to the Philippians, chapter 4, verses 10-19, he tells them (and us) that he had "learned to be content whatever the circumstances...whether well fed or hungry." (NIV)  And, in the process, we are given two of the greatest promises in the New Testament--Philippians 4:13 and 4:19.  Read them again.  Commit them to memory.

All four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, wrote of Jesus feeding the 5000.  Mark also adds the feeding of the 4000.  The passover meal, called the "Lord's supper" or the "Last Supper" was recorded by all the gospel writers with only John omitting the prayer of thanks at the breaking of the bread and drinking of the "fruit of the vine."  John, instead, spent a large portion of his gospel recording these most intimate moments of Jesus with his disciples.  The entire 17th chapter of John is a prayer that will be looked at in detail in Part III, "Special Prayers of Jesus."

Only Luke writes about the meal Jesus had in Emmaus with followers, not of the 12, after His resurrection.  Here, those followers recognized Him when He gave thanks for the food.  They knew Him by His habits!!

*As a side note, we are known by our habits, too.*

We're talking about Jesus, the Son of God.  This is the One about Whom John declared in John 1:3, "through Him all things were made..."(NIV).  Jesus is also quoted by John in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life." (NIV)  Truly God, but also truly man who made a habit of expressing his thanks for basic needs.

What better example could He set while on earth?  What better lesson could we, as Christians, learn?  What better way could we witness to the world around us, than through sincere and consistent expressions of thanks to God for our daily Bread?

Oh, to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer...

PART I--THE PERSONAL PRAYER HABITS OF JESUS

Habits are actions performed on a regular or routine basis.  Some actions are performed on a regular basis because they are habits.  Some habits are formed because the actions that we take frequently are so very important to us.

Many of us do what we do because we have always done it.  Many of us do certain things habitually simply because we were taught to do those certain things.  But, do we know and understand why we were taught to do those things?

When it comes to praying at meals, for example, are we praying to give thanks for the food?  Or, are we just "saying the blessing" because Mother and Dad did?  One of my brothers is the most consistent Christian I have ever known.  But, he also has quite a sense of humor.  So, after having gone to the grocery store for the next week's supply of food, he gathered his family around the table where he and his wife had placed the groceries temporarily.  Then, in his own way, he said to the whole family, "We're going to pray now over all the food, so we won't have to every time we eat."  Habits that involve "saying prayers" are one thing.  Praying that becomes a personal habit is quite another.  This is where Jesus' prayer life comes in.

In studying and researching the prayer life of Jesus, it became obvious very shortly, that Jesus had many personal prayer habits.  One of which was giving thanks on the occasions of "breaking bread."  It is no surprise, as we shall further see in Part 2, that Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread."  (Matthew 6:11, KJV).  Two of the four gospel writers recorded Jesus saying that "foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."  (Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:58, KJV).  So, to Jesus, food was not to be taken for granted.  When food is available, it is important to show gratitude to God and give Him thanks.

In my next post I will share some thoughts regarding the occasions where Jesus gave thanks for "broken bread." Maybe the why can be seen in giving thanks as well as how gratitude affects our own lives.

Lord, teach me to be thankful and help me learn how to express my gratitude to You.

WHAT IS PRAYER (Cont.)

In my last post I wrote about prayer being a means of communication with God.  Most of us are acquainted with emails, social networks and other means of relating to others.  This even includes methods such as Twittering on your mobile phone or up loading and down loading pictures and web sites.  So, an understanding of communication should be a subject we are comfortable with.

Why, then, when it comes to communicating with God, do we seem to be prone to making our praying one-sided conversations?  Why do we, so often, just want to tell God what we want or need?  Real talks with friends usually include their talking, too.  Does their view point or advice have meaning to us?  Then, why not more listening on our part?

If we have an appointment with our doctor regarding a disease or illness, isn't it the normally expected reaction to take his/her advice, as well as the medicine they may prescribe?  Why not with God?  Are we simply wanting God to do for us, without any involvement on our part?

Two things are needed in our praying as a means of communicating with God.

     1.  Having (or Starting) a Personal Relationship With God.


We all have a relationship with God.  It just may not be a personal one.  Many of us don't mind talking with someone we don't know in line at the grocery store.  But we don't typically think we can tell them all our problems and expect them to solve them (or even be interested in them).

If you don't have a personal relationship with God, then begin on today.  The only prayer that God will always answer for a sinner is one of repentance.  Ask Him for forgiveness and give Him your life now.  Read Luke 18:9-14.  The prayer of the tax collector was "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."  Jesus answered, "...This man...went home justified before God."

The second thing needed in prayer as a means of communicating with God is

     2.  A Partnership With God


James, the Lord's earthly brother, in his letter in the New Testament, gave an excellent example of this.  Read James 2:14-17.  James was explaining that simply to have faith without actions (deeds) that back up that faith is useless.  Now, don't get upset.  I'm not we have to have more than faith to be saved.  But there is more required.  God's grace is necessary also.  See Ephesians 2:8-9.  There is a partnership involved.

Paul, in Romans chapters 1 through 7, gives his great and often partially quoted exhortation on faith.  In Ephesians 2:8-10, Paul expounds on the partnership with God.  We provide the faith and God provides the grace.  God created us to do good works.  We both work together to do God's will and for the answering of our prayers.

During my years as a business owner, I tried partnerships on more than one occasion.  Those arrangements never seemed to work out.  In all honesty, my stubbornness and pride were probably the primary reason.  However, in our spiritual lives, partnerships are necessary.  Yes, God can do any and all things Himself.  But, from His Word and personal experience, I have found that He has chosen to do most things in cooperation with His creation.

Instead of praying, "Thy will be done" and then giving God a list of things that "we just know" are His will, we could be praying, "Here are my concerns, Lord.  How can I help you accomplish what you know is best?"  We could, as His partners, pray, "Lord, what are Your concerns?", or, "What do You want me to do today?"

As we look more specifically at the prayer life of Jesus, in the coming posts, let us make sure our relationship with Him is a right one.  Let us offer ourselves as His partners.  Then we can better pray as a means of communicating with Him.  Perhaps, just maybe, we won't be complaining about unanswered prayer.

Your comments and questions are encouraged.

WHAT IS PRAYER, ANYWAY?

Philip Yancey, in his book entitled, "Prayer:  Does It Make Any Difference?", devotes the first of five parts to "Keeping Company With God."  While I would begin, as a definition of prayer, a little differently, I can't imagine a more vivid description for a Christian's continuing prayer life.

Jesus, Son of Man on earth, certainly kept company with the Father in heaven.  Friends and families with loving relationships keep company with each other.  So, such a relationship with God should be as normal as any that we may have for those with whom we share a life of common interests.

• Prayer is a means of communication with God.                                                                                         The word communication has taken on a wider meaning in today's IT world.  Media of all types and vehicles attempt to "communicate" their own messages (such as the media we are currently using for this message).  But, prayer gets its message across more directly and personally.  It may do so by "keeping company with God" or in a desperate crisis of reaching out to God.
• Prayer is not informing God.                                                                                                                     God knows what we need before we ask Him (Matthew 6:8).  He knows what we will say before we say it (Psalms 139:4).  Rather, prayer is (or has the intentions for) getting or staying in touch with God.

In the next post, we will continue to look at "What Is Prayer, Anyway?".  But, if you have comments or questions, please use the comment section for both.  Any that you send needing responses will get one.  I hope you will participate.

For your information, I highly recommend Philip Yancey as an author.  The book mentioned above will give great insight into the overall subject of prayer.  Others of his books, such as "What's So Amazing About Grace?" will help you grow as a Christian.  Many of his works can be found in your local library. 

GETTING STARTED

In the normal course of research for a book, an article, a paper,etc., I would assume the need for a vast array of resources, such as other books, articles, papers, etc.  For all practical purposes, while I may refer to such sources and various individual's philosophies and "takes" on the subject we're studying, the primary resource is the Bible Itself.

I sincerely hope this blog will be a study of the prayer life of Jesus, not just what someone thinks about it.  The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) give us the story and life of Jesus on earth.  Therefore, every reference to a prayer or a teaching on prayer by Jesus in the Gospels, I have collected and placed in one (or more) of three categories.  Those categories will serve as a basic outline for our study.

The categories are (1)  The Personal Prayer Habits of Jesus
                             (2)  The Teachings on Prayer by Jesus
                             (3)  The Special Prayers of Jesus

However, it will serve us well to look at some introductory thoughts before we jump into the main categories.  So, the first few blogs will try to help us with subjects such as the following:
                             (1)  What is prayer?
                             (2)  The uniqueness of Jesus' prayers
                             (3)  What is included in prayers?
                             (4)  What is the primary purpose of this study?

As we continue, I recommend that you make notes, give comments, ask questions and (more than anything else) put into practice, if you haven't already, a daily routine of actual praying.

WHY PRAY, ANYWAY?

There is absolutely no reason why anyone, anywhere should consider me an example to follow in the area of prayer.  Having read many times over the years the great and effective prayers that are recorded in the Bible, I know I have never prayed prayers like that.  Having read and studied the lives of the pray-ers of those prayers, it is strikingly obvious to me that I have never been, nor do I ever expect to be known for having attained such levels of prayer life.  But, I am convinced that it is my Christian right, as well as obligation, to learn all I can about prayer and act upon it daily.  And, if it is something the Bible teaches, we should all practice it.

Not only does the Bible teach us to pray and give us marvelous examples of effective prayers, but, in particular, Jesus, Himself, gave us examples and taught His followers to pray.

There is a multitude of articles, even books by sincere Christians, about "Why Pray?", especially since God knows (decides?) in advance about everything.  The question posed is, "If God is in control, why bother to pray?"  Or, "If God is changeless, how can my prayers change His mind or actions?"

One author I read recently simply said, (and I paraphrase), "I pray because Jesus did."  A study of His prayer life ought to be both interesting and revealing to us.

Join in with me in the study and let me know what you think.