What does Jesus say About Prayer?
Prayer is a powerful force in our lives and Jesus Christ is the source of this power. Jesus taught us the power of prayer, both in his New Testament ministry and in the Old Testament. He commanded us to pray in all circumstances, and promised if we ask, we will receive. What does Jesus say about prayer?
Jesus encourages us to pray, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 NIV). Jesus also explains that when we pray, “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6 NLT). This verse reveals that our heavenly Father sees and hears our secret prayers and will offer His grace and mercy when we come to Him in faith.
Moreover, Jesus shows us the importance of praying with faith. He says, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24 NIV). We must approach God with a humble heart, asking Him for what we need and trusting Him to provide it. In this way, we show God that we believe in His love and power.
Finally, Jesus models for us how we should pray. He often spent the early morning alone in prayer and offered up His own prayers in the temple (Mark 1:35). Jesus also offers us the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 as a pattern for our own prayers. He teaches us to approach God in humility, prayerfully acknowledging who He is and what He can do. We can learn even more from studying Christ’s intensity of prayer and will recognize the need to develop a personal prayer life.
Giving in Prayer
Jesus also reveals the importance of giving in our prayers. He teaches us to seek God’s will in our prayers and to always be ready to give our “yes” to His “amen” (Matthew 6:10). This means that we should earnestly seek God’s will and when the Holy Spirit provides the answer, accept it openly and willingly. To do this, we must remain obedient and submissive to God, showing Him our trust and respect in prayer.
We can also give thanks in prayer, following the example Jesus sets in His own prayer life. He speaks to the Father with gratitude and humility, thanking Him for giving us life, for providing us with food and for every good thing in our lives. We can do the same as we approach God in prayer, offering up our thanks and praise to Him.
Finally, Jesus encourages us to give in prayer from a generous heart. He says that we should give sacrificially (Luke 6:38) and trust God with the results. We can give our hearts and our lives to Him, knowing that He will take them and use them for His glory. We can also give generously to others, knowing that our giving will be rewarded in Heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).
Prayer as Communication
One of the most profound ways Jesus teaches us about prayer is through His use of it as a form of communication. Through prayer, Jesus communicates directly to His heavenly Father, asking for wisdom, guidance and strength for His people. He also models how to share our troubles, pain and difficulties, and how to seek comfort and solace through prayer.
Jesus also teaches us that prayer is an avenue through which we can receive God’s blessings. When we pray, God may answer us directly or send us the comfort and strength we need to get through difficult times. Moreover, Jesus reveals to us that prayer strengthens our relationship with God, allowing us to experience His grace and love through each prayer.
Finally, Jesus emphasizes the importance of being in dialogue with God, offering Him praise and thanksgiving, and speaking with Him the same way we would talk to a beloved friend. As we cultivate our relationship with God through prayer, we also create opportunities for deeper intimacy and understanding, opening up our hearts and minds to receive His blessings.
Prayer as an Expression of Love
Above all, Jesus shows us how prayer can be an intimate expression of our love for God. He reveals that through prayer we can express our deep love and devotion for God, letting Him know that we adore Him and thank Him for all He has done. Jesus also encourages His disciples to “remain in me, and I in you” (John 16:16 NLT), reminding us that prayer is a meaningful way for us to stay connected to Him.
Jesus also teaches us that prayer is an act of love for ourselves. He reveals that if we approach God in prayer, He will give us the peace, joy and hope we need to sustain us in hard times. Jesus knows that we all face struggles and hardships in life, and He encourages us to turn to Him in prayer for guidance and comfort. In this way, He is teaching us that prayer can help us find inner peace and hope.
Moreover, Jesus encourages us to be persistent in our prayers and demonstrate our faith in Him. He knows that we may have unanswered prayers and encourages us to keep praying and seeking Him, trusting that He will answer in His perfect timing. Thus, Jesus is reminding us that our faith in Him must always remain strong, even in times when our prayers go unanswered.
Prayer as Worship
Finally, Jesus teaches us how to worship through prayer. He reveals that prayer can be a powerful form of worship, allowing us to experience the presence and glory of God. He encourages us to approach Him in awe and reverence, giving Him all the praise and honor that He deserves. Moreover, Jesus teaches us that we should come to Him in prayer with broken and contrite hearts, humbly asking for strength and grace to help us in our spiritual journey.
As we celebrate the power of prayer in our lives, we must continue to turn to Jesus and His teachings as our ultimate guide. His words show us how to use prayer effectively, and how to approach God in worship and devotion. He also reminds us that prayer may not always be an easy or comfortable practice, but if we go to Him often and earnestly, we will find great strength and comfort in His presence. May we never forget the power and grace of prayer as taught by Jesus Christ.
A husband of one wife, father of two beautiful girls, laborer of Lord, Jesus Christ, and a servant to God’s His saints. I hope to encourage you by God’s grace. Thank you for stopping by.
