How Did Jesus Pray? Part 2
Jesus earthly life was perfect, which means he alone has the perfect prayer life. Therefore, there is no better way to learn about prayer than learning from the prayer life of Jesus.
Jesus prayed long prayers
He didn't necessarily pray long prayers publicly, but Jesus spent lengthy amounts of time privately in prayer with the Father. Luke 6:12 gives us one example: "In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."
In the heat of spiritual battle, Jesus went the distance. He prayed all night long. He was facing the decision over which men to pick as his disciples. That's serious business.
Many (perhaps most) times you should pray succinctly, but there are many times when the best thing you or I can do is get alone and go the distance in prayer. If you're facing a crisis or the imminence of a major life decision, I encourage you to get lots of time alone in prayer.
Before I married my wife Grace, I prayed long and hard. Before we have made major decisions about life and ministry, we have both prayed a ton both together and alone. In these times God helps us to process our thoughts, focus our desires, and come to clarity on his will for our lives so that we can move together confidently.
Jesus prayed short prayers (as in Luke 6:41) when short prayers were appropriate. But, when handling the frequent difficulties of life, he prayed long prayers and we should do the same.
Jesus prayed painful prayers
Jesus prayed one prayer in so much pain, he was sweating blood.
Jesus was tired, Jesus was poor, Jesus was betrayed, Jesus was abandoned, Jesus was tortured, and Jesus was murdered. And when Jesus endured the troubles of life - something he promised us we'd also face - he prayed.
There is no prayer that is guaranteed to keep us from sickness, provide for us wealth, or guarantee that God will give us what we want. How should we pray when we're betrayed or hurt or confused or in great pain?
Take a look at Jesus' prayer in John 12:27:
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."
Facing the cross, Jesus takes his pain to God the Father. Not to dishonor God the Father or to curse God the Father or to blame God the Father or to disobey God the Father, but to present his pain to God the Father.
You too can be honest with God. He's God; he can take it. Tell him how you feel. "God, I'm troubled. I'm really struggling right now. I'm hurting very badly." It's okay to say those things to God. Jesus did.
Jesus saw there was purpose in his pain.
With the cross on the horizon, Jesus does not call out "Get me out of this!" He calls out, "Get me through this."
Jesus prayed that he'd be betrayed well, that he'd be abandoned well, that he would suffer well, that he would die well. It is not always God's will to take our pain away, but it is always God's will to conform us to the image of his Son in our pain by giving us an opportunity to glorify him.
If you are hurting, suffering, or dying right now, my prayer for you is that you would make it your prayer to learn how to hurt, suffer, and die to the glory of God.
Is there anything painful or fearful in your life right now that you need to spend extended time with God in prayer for, to work through with deep emotional processing? If so, when and how will you carve out this important time to meet with God?
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