Saturday, January 5, 2008

Christ's Prayer Life According to the Gospel of Luke


The Gospel of Luke tells us of our Lord Jesus Christ’s prayer life.


CHRIST PRAYER at His baptism - Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, … Luke 3:21

CHRIST PRAYER alone - And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. Luke 5:16

CHRIST PRAYER all night - And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12

CHRIST PRAYER in the mountain - And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering Luke 9:28,29

CHRIST PRAYER as an example - And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Luke 11:1-4

CHRIST PRAYER for His friends - And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:31, 23

CHRIST PRAYER in the garden - And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:41, 42

CHRIST PRAYER on the cross - Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

Luke speaks more of the prayers of our Lord Jesus than any other Gospel writer. Prayer is the expression of human dependence on God. Why is there so much working and activity in the church, and yet so little result in positive conversions to God? Why so much running hither and thither, and so few brought to Christ? The answer is simple. There is not enough private prayer. The cause of Christ does not need less working, but more praying.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The average Christian probably prays one hundredth of the capacity that we see in these verses...all night? in a garden? in the mountain? etc. Great observations. They are convicting!