"When I called You answered me..." Psalm 138:3

Many, many things have been written concerning prayer. And we have been looking at prayer from several different aspects as well. Today let us see some of the things Scripture says of the prayers of Christ Jesus.

The nature of His prayers are--
Adoration:
After Jesus spoke of the unrepentant cities where He did many miracles, He prayed to the Father, "At that time Jesus began to say, I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [and I acknowledge openly and joyfully to Your honor], that You have hidden these things from the wise and clever and learned, and revealed them to babies [to the childish, untaught, and unskilled]. Yes, Father, [I praise You that] such was Your gracious will and good pleasure. Matthew 11:25-26 The Amplified Bible

Intercession:
Jesus' high priestly prayer of John 17. Read this whole awesome prayer (I will only include a few verses here).
He prays for Himself and the finished work on earth, Vs 1-5.
"I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, Father , glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was." Vs. 4-5

He prays for His disciples, Vs. 6-19,
"I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours." Vs.. 9 And, "Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are." Vs. 11

He prays for all Believers, Vs. 20-26,
"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me, through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You send Me." Vs. 20-21

Thanksgiving:
Jesus is giving thanks here at the raising of Lazarus from the dead, "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying, and Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You send Me.'"
Vs. 41-42
"Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth!' And he who had died came out..." Vs. 43-44

When and where Jesus prayed--
Early in the morning:
"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 (A good habit for us to get into?!)

In secret:
"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Luke 5:16 And, "And when He had sent the multitudes away He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray..." Matthew 14:23

With others:
"And it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'" Luke 11:1 And so He did.

In Matthew 6:9-13 He taught us to first give honor and praise to our Heavenly Father, then pray for our physical needs, spiritual needs and finally the declaration of His kingdom!
"Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

Remember prayer is conversing with God, so what we call the Lord's prayer is an outline for me. Look again at John 17, Jesus was talking with God, not reciting words at Him. Think about it. How do we each pray/talk with God?
Do we recite words or do we talk with our Father?!!

Thank You Lord God for drawing us near to Yourself that we might have special times in intimate conversation with You. Amen