Seeds of Faith
Lenten Lecture Series: The Praying Jesus
Fr. Panteleimon Papadopoulos
March 17, 2021
JESUS PRAYING IN THE BIBLE
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1
“During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7
Jesus prayed for others.
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.” Matthew 19:13
“I [Jesus] pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given Me, for they are Yours.” John 17:9
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Jesus prayed with others.
“[Jesus] took Peter, John and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray.” Luke 9:28
Jesus prayed alone.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
“Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?” Luke 9:18
“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened [22] and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
Jesus prayed in nature.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray …” Luke 6:12
Jesus prayed at early and deep into the night.
“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35
Jesus could pray as a marathon runner.
Jesus, “spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12
Jesus prayed regularly.
“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
Jesus prayed before He ate.
“And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.” Matthew 14:19
The prayers of Jesus were heartfelt.
”When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son that the Son may glorify thee…” John 17:1
Jesus taught persistence in prayer.
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
Jesus knew that not all his prayers would be answered as expected.
“Yet not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39
Jesus Christ prayed when weary.
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. [35] By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late." [46] After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.” Mark 6:31, 33-35, 46
Jesus Christ prayed before great temptations.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Matthew 26:36
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. [40] On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." [41] He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed…,” Luke 22:39-41
Jesus Christ prayed in the last moments of His life.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34, 46 [34]
Jesus Christ prayed on His knees and on His face.
“He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,” Luke 22:41
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:39
Jesus is denied in His prayer?
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:39
“He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Matthew 26:42
