Looking At Prayer Through the Eyes of Jesus
How did Jesus view prayer. First, it wasn’t something He did out of duty. It is obvious that the motivation of Jesus in regard to prayer wasn’t duty. If we examine the parameters of Jesus prayer life we reach the conclusion that Jesus prayed because of the relationship He had with His Father. Jesus prayed so often. He prayed before any great event in His life. The Lord prayed when he was sad, happy, discouraged, or at the end of the day. Jesus prayer was like a son talking to his father. Jesus saw prayer as the natural result of the relationship he had with the Father. Could it be that if our prayer life isn’t as well developed as we would like the problem isn’t with our prayer life. Could the problem possibly be connected with our relationship?
Jesus saw prayer as being about conversation. Jesus talked with the Father and God talked with Him. Good conversation means that we not only talk but we also take the time to listen. As Jesus prayed He also took the time to listen. At times we pray at God and not to God. We never listen for His response. If we do it is only for a minute or two. In order for our prayer to be like Jesus we must listen for God to answer. Sometimes this takes a while. If we really believe God answers prayer we will take adequate time to listen.
Jesus saw prayer as an avenue of change. Jesus went to His Father to change things. When Jesus was in the Garden He prayed that if it be possible that his course be changed. Jesus didn’t want to face the next few hours. He asked the Father to change it. Jesus was willing to ask for this change. Obviously He believed that with God it was possible. Jesus believed that with God anything was possible. Do we see prayer as Jesus viewed prayer? Do we believe that prayer can change things?
Jesus saw prayer as a way to maintain His walk in the Fathers will. Jesus knew that the Father had sent Him. He knew He had a purpose to fulfill. Jesus saw prayer as a source of strength that allowed him to continue to walk in the Father’s will. Even as Jesus prayed in the garden He prayed, “If it be your will.” Do we realize that God has a purpose for us as well. Life isn’t about us. Life is about fulfilling the purpose for which God created us. Prayer will allow us to continue to maintain the correct course.
Prayer was a major element in the life of our Lord. If indeed we are going to walk as He walked prayer must be a major part of our life as well. Let us learn to look at prayer through the eyes of Jesus.
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