Praying Like Jesus
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 14 2024 | John 17:1-5
KEY VERSE:
After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed… John 17:1a (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Prayer is the cornerstone of a vibrant relationship with God, and no one modelled this better than Jesus Christ. In John 17, we find a deeply significant prayer that is often called the true Lord’s Prayer because it was prayed by Jesus Himself. This chapter contains 26 verses, with the first five offering key insights into Jesus’ prayer life. Today, we will focus on verse one of these first five verses, drawing lessons from Jesus’ example and reflecting on how we can pray like Him.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus maintained a consistent and vibrant prayer life. This is evident in several instances recorded in the Gospels. In John 6, before He miraculously multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 men, Jesus first gave thanks in prayer. Afterwards, He withdrew to a mountain to spend time alone with God. Later, in John 11:41-42, we see Him praying again before raising Lazarus from the dead. In John 14, He reassures His disciples that He would pray for them to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—also highlight several moments where Jesus is seen praying. Yet, what makes Jesus' prayer life so remarkable is who He is—the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. Despite His divine nature, Jesus still prioritised prayer, teaching us its essential role, no matter our status or circumstance. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 teaches us valuable lessons on approaching God in prayer. As followers of Christ, we are called to model our prayer life after His, trusting that as we do, we will grow in faith and see His will accomplished in our lives.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Let us follow the Lord's example of unceasing prayer. Learning to pray like Jesus and praying like Him can make a tremendous difference in our lives. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus' prayer. Help me to understand the importance of prayer and give it the priority it needs in my Christian life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: PRAYED
The word "prayed" (proseuchomai in Greek) encompasses a range of meanings, including to offer supplication, to seek divine help, or to engage in worshipful communication with God. It reflects more than a simple request; it implies reverence, surrender, and connection. In John 17:1a, this act of prayer signifies Jesus’ deep communion with the Father at a critical moment.
Contextually, Jesus begins His high priestly prayer by acknowledging the Father’s authority and His mission to glorify God through His sacrificial death. This demonstrates that prayer is not just about presenting needs but aligning with God’s will, especially in the face of difficulty.
Reflections: Prayer, as Jesus models, is about aligning ourselves with God's will and trusting in His purpose even in moments of challenge. What areas of your life can you entrust more fully to God in prayer, following the example of Jesus?
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