January 17, 2021 (Sunday)
The gospels record words that Jesus spoke in prayer:
“You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children” (Matt 11:25-26, Luke 10:21)
Before the raising of Lazarus (John 11:41-42)
“Father, glorify your name” (John 12:28)
His prayer in John 17
Three prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane
Three prayers on the cross:
“Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34)
“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34)
“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46)
Other references to Jesus praying include:
At his baptism (Luke 3:21)
Regular time of withdrawal from the crowds (Luke 5:16)
After healing people in the evening (Mark 1:35)
Before walking on water (Matt 14:23, Mark 6:46, John 6:15)
Before choosing the Twelve (Luke 6:12)
Before Peter’s confession (Luke 9:18)
At the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29)
Before teaching his disciples the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1)
Jesus says that he has prayed for Peter’s faith (Luke 22:32)
In addition to this, Jesus said grace before the feeding miracles, at the Last Supper, and at the supper at Emmaus.
R. A. Torrey notes that Jesus prayed early in the morning as well as all night, that he prayed both before and after the great events of his life, and that he prayed “when life was unusually busy”.
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, after they watched and listened to his prayer (Luke 11).
When Paul wrote, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” he had the humility of Jesus in mind, urging us to follow our Lord’s example when he “emptied Himself,” became a human, suffered crucifixion, and reminding us that those who share His suffering shall be witnesses of His glory. “Let this mind be in you” can be very broad in reminding us that we are followers of Jesus who seek to live for Him. If Jesus felt the need for prayer, then how much more should we.
aka ALONE
Author: Ben H. Price
1914
1 It was alone the Savior prayed
In dark Gethsemane;
Alone He drained the bitter cup
And suffered there for me.
Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;
He gave Himself to save His own,
He suffered, bled and died alone, alone.
2 It was alone the Savior stood
In Pilate’s judgment hall;
Alone the crown of thorns He wore
Forsaken thus by all. [Chorus]
Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;
He gave Himself to save His own,
He suffered, bled and died alone, alone.
3 Alone upon the cross He hung
That others He might save;
Forsaken then by God and man
Alone, His life He gave.
Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;
He gave Himself to save His own,
He suffered, bled and died alone, alone.
4 Can you reject such matchless love?
Can you His claim disown?
Come, give your all in gratitude,
Nor leave Him thus alone.
Alone, alone, He bore it all alone;
He gave Himself to save His own,
He suffered, bled and died alone, alone.
