In Luke’s gospel, we read these important words
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." (Luke 6:12)
Here are a few things to notice:
1. The occasion of Jesus' prayer
We’re told this happened "One of these days".
The surrounding context fills us in. The occasion was persecution, even the Pharisees planning to kill him (v.11). We’re also told later in the book of how he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane before his own death.
Jesus turned to God in his trials. Whether persecution or facing the death on the cross, Jesus turned to his Father.
This wasn’t a show. As a human, Jesus needed divine help when he suffered.
If he did, you and I do too.
2. The location of Jesus' prayer
Where did he pray? "Jesus went out to a mountainside"
Jesus didn't, like a Pharisee, pray on the street corners to be seen. Of course, there were some public occasions for public prayer (e.g. Jn 11:41-42; 17) But Jesus withdrew to seek his father's face in secret.
This shows us again that this was real prayer. He may have done it in public to set us an example, but there is no reason to do that in private. He needed this prayer alone.
There is a danger for Christian leaders particularly to pray verbose impressive prayers in public but barely speak to God in private. Jesus’ example should spur us on.
3. The length of Jesus' prayer
How long did he pray for? We’re told that he “spent the night praying"
A night in prayer is not a recitation of a set prayer. This is the action of someone intimate with God. It wasn't every night (he needed sleep like any other human) but it was deep and real when it was needed.
There is a danger of measuring the length of our prayers, as if forty minutes is more holy than four. Jesus himself tells us:
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words
(Matthew 6:7, NIVUK)
Nevertheless, there are times when in-depth prayer is needed. This wrestling in prayer is not easily stopped.
4. The partner of Jesus' prayer
Who is Jesus praying to? I’ve heard someone wonder whether Jesus’ prayer is the equivalent of a man talking to himself. But it is clear here that Jesus was "praying to God"
This is clearly God the Father. That is obvious from other prayers. For example, later in Luke, we get the full Trinitarian picture of what Father, Son and Spirit do in Jesus’ prayer:
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
(Luke 10:21, NIVUK emphasis mine)
Jesus wasn't talking to himself. Nor were his divine and human nature in debate. The intimate eternal union between the Father and Son, is now manifest in the human nature of Jesus. He prays to his Father.
This is why we can do the same. He teaches us to pray “Our Father” in the Lord’s Prayer.
We often emphasise that the our unites us with the church in prayer, which is no doubt true. But it also unites us with the Son. After all, it is only in him that Christians can call God Father. With Jesus, God the Father is our prayer partner too.
5. The humanity of Jesus' prayer
In all of this, the true humanity of Jesus is shown.
The relationship with God now happens in human nature. He now related to God:
With human tongue
Amidst human suffering
Fighting human tiredness
Feeling human affection
This makes him the perfect example for us. He was tempted in every way as we are, even in his prayer life, yet he didn’t sin. This of course leads us to…
6. The example of Jesus' prayer
As the perfect human, Jesus is an example to us.
It has often been said "If the Son of God needed to pray, so do you!" And that's true.
Yet I'd hate this to become a bludgeon "Jesus prayed all night so you should too" Rather...
7. The invitation of Jesus' prayer
Jesus' prayer is an invitation to us.
He was truly human. He was a real man of sorrows. If he found solace and joy in this intimacy of prayer you can too.
Jesus' prayer invites us to partake of prayer, not from law but from grace.
What are you waiting for? Pray to him now!
Beautiful post.