The Priority of Prayer in the Life of Jesus

More than any other gospel writer, Luke brings attention to the Lord’s private prayer life, as well as His teaching on the subject of prayer. As you read the following verses, join the apostles' request, “Lord, teach us to pray!”

• Luke 5:16 – “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”

• Luke 6:12 – “It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God”

• Luke 9:18a – “And it happened that while He was praying alone…”

• Luke 9:28 – “Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.”

• Luke 11:1 – “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”

• Luke 10:2 – “And He was saying to them, “ The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

• Luke 11:2-4 – “And He said to them, “ When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

• Luke 11:5-8 – “Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.”

• Luke 11:9-13 – “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

• Luke 22:41-45 -- "And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow..."

“Lord, teach us to pray!” ~ Luke 11:1

Related: Here are three sermons to deepen your delight in prayer.