INTRODUCTION
This blog is long, but useful. The Bible references have been organized in seven parts. All opinions or beliefs are mine:
Today I didn't attend a public observance of National Day of Prayer, although I have in the past. Instead I spent time trying to learn more about Jesus' attitude about prayer.
The gospels show plainly that Jesus lived a life of prayer. Although everything he did or said publicly was from prayer; He lived prayer.
Jesus condemned the attitudes and behavior of the religious leaders who were supposed to be for God, but most were the opposite. Beware of religious leaders in our time, as some of them are modern Scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites. There are others today who carry the label of Christian, but are so wrapped up with details of the Old Testament that their hearts are blinded from seeing the living Jesus.
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Jesus' ministry was public, but his prayer was mostly private. He criticized those who gave public prayers for show.
JESUS PRAYED ALONE
Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Matthew 14:22-24 (in Context) Matthew 14 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:36
Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
Matthew 26:35-37 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:39
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:38-40 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:40-42 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:42
He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.
Matthew 26:41-43 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:44
And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Matthew 26:43-45 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 26:53
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Matthew 26:52-54 (in Context) Matthew 26 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 1:35
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:34-36 (in Context) Mark 1 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 6:46
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
Mark 6:45-47 (in Context) Mark 6 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 14:32
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Mark 14:31-33 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 14:35
And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
Mark 14:34-36 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 14:38
Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:37-39 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 14:39
And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
Mark 14:38-40 (in Context) Mark 14 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 5:16
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 5:15-17 (in Context) Luke 5 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:11-13 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:41
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Luke 22:40-42 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:44
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:43-45 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:45
And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
Luke 22:44-46 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:46
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Luke 22:45-47 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
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Jesus prayed with his disciples, sometimes at a distance and other times next to them.
JESUS PRAYED WITH HIS DISCIPLES
Luke 9:18
And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?
Luke 9:17-19 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 9:28
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luke 9:27-29 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 9:29
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Luke 9:28-30 (in Context) Luke 9 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 10:2
Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:1-3 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luke 11:1-3 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:35-37 (in Context) Luke 21 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Luke 22:31-33 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 22:40
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Luke 22:39-41 (in Context) Luke 22 (Whole Chapter)
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Jesus taught love and prayer for enemies. Pray secretly. Don't use vain repetitions. In the Lord's Prayer example, Jesus first acknowledges the holiness of His Heavenly Father and that His Kingdom come and His will be done here on earth as in Heaven. Praying for that puts all other desires or requests subordinate to the Father's will. Jesus said for us to ask for today's daily bread, to ask for forgiveness of our debts as we forgive our debtors. He asked that we be delivered from evil and temptation. Close by another recognition of the Heavenly Father's sovereignty, ownership, power, glory.
JESUS TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY AND HOW NOT TO PRAY
Matthew 5:44
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:43-45 (in Context) Matthew 5 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:5
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 6:4-6 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:5-7 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:7
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:6-8 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:8-10 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 9:38
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 9:37-38 (in Context) Matthew 9 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 23:14
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
Matthew 23:13-15 (in Context) Matthew 23 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 11:25
And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Mark 11:24-26 (in Context) Mark 11 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 6:28
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:27-29 (in Context) Luke 6 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 11:2
And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luke 11:1-3 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 18:10
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
Luke 18:9-11 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Luke 18:10-12 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 19:46
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Luke 19:45-47 (in Context) Luke 19 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 20:47
Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Luke 20:46-47 (in Context) Luke 20 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 12:40
Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
Mark 12:39-41 (in Context) Mark 12 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 13:33
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13:32-34 (in Context) Mark 13 (Whole Chapter)
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Jesus prayed for us and encouraged our praying, but he does not condone praying outside Hisa Father's will.
JESUS PRAYED FOR HIS DISCIPLES AND HIS OTHER BELIEVERS
Matthew 19:13
Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
Matthew 19:12-14 (in Context) Matthew 19 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 21:22
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Matthew 21:21-23 (in Context) Matthew 21 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mark 11:23-25 (in Context) Mark 11 (Whole Chapter)
John 14:16
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:15-17 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
John 16:26
At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
John 16:25-27 (in Context) John 16 (Whole Chapter)
John 17:9
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
John 17:8-10 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:14-16 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
John 17:20
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
John 17:19-21 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
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GOD'S HOUSE SHALL BE THE HOUSE OF PRAYER
Matthew 21:13
And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Matthew 21:12-14 (in Context) Matthew 21 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 11:17
And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mark 11:16-18 (in Context) Mark 11 (Whole Chapter)
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VARIOUS OTHER PRAYER REFERENCES IN LUKE- JESUS BIRTH, MINISTRY
Luke 1:10
And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
Luke 1:9-11 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:12-14 (in Context) Luke 1 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke 2:36-38 (in Context) Luke 2 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 3:21
Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
Luke 3:20-22 (in Context) Luke 3 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 5:3
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.
Luke 5:2-4 (in Context) Luke 5 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 5:33
And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
Luke 5:32-34 (in Context) Luke 5 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 14:18
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
Luke 14:17-19 (in Context) Luke 14 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 14:19
And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Luke 14:18-20 (in Context) Luke 14 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 16:27
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
Luke 16:26-28 (in Context) Luke 16 (Whole Chapter)
Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 18:1-3 (in Context) Luke 18 (Whole Chapter)
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OTHER GOSPEL REFERENCES TO PRAYER
Matthew 17:21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:20-22 (in Context) Matthew 17 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 9:29
And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Mark 9:28-30 (in Context) Mark 9 (Whole Chapter)
Matthew 24:20
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Matthew 24:19-21 (in Context) Matthew 24 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 13:18
And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Mark 13:17-19 (in Context) Mark 13 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 5:18
And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mark 5:17-19 (in Context) Mark 5 (Whole Chapter)
Mark 5:23
And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
Mark 5:22-24 (in Context) Mark 5 (Whole Chapter)
John 4:31
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat.
John 4:30-32 (in Context) John 4 (Whole Chapter)
CONCLUSION
I used Bible Gateway and searched the 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) for the word "pray". The search also found "prayest" and "prayer".
I've come to believe that when religious issues become confusing to look to Jesus, who said
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." John 14:6-7
Jesus said that we could ask for anything "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
God bless you in all your searches. May you find "the truth and the life."
Bill Ricks
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