Christ the Man of Prayer #2

By Oscar M. Baker

Luke 3:21-22. "...Jesus also being baptized,and praying..." A lot of people go over these verses and never notice that He was praying there when baptized.

Mark 1:35. "...rising up a great while before dawn...prayed." Notice that! And read verse 34. He would never allow demons or the devil to bear testimony of Him. Now compare Ph'p. 2:10. These that bow the knee will do it willingly, and the devil and demons will not be among them.

Luke 5:16. "And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness and prayed." Why did He need to pray so much? This brings up the question, what is prayer? It is just talking things over with God. If it doesn't do anything more than get it off our chest and get it organized, it's done good! If we pray and ask Him for these things, we're putting ourselves in a position then (and attitude of mind), so we can receive what He wants to give us. Remember, He wants to give us the very best, but the reason we don't get it is because we're not ready for it.

John 17. "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, 'Father'..." This is the true Lord's prayer. You are on Holy ground when reading this chapter, so you better take your shoes oft'. Seven times Christ mentions His disciples as those whom God had given Him. This is the supreme cognomen (the highest name by which He'd recognize them). In verse 2, note the point of right division - this is not true in our dispensation, for now Christ draws all men unto Himself.

Luke 6:12. "...He went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night." Notice, He continued all in prayer to God.

Mark 6:46. "...He departed into a mountain to pray." Seemed as if He liked to go into the mountains to pray to free of the multitudes.

Luke 9:18. "...He was alone praying..." This was after taking up the twelve baskets of food.

Luke 9:28. "...He took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray." This prayer was at the time of the transfiguration.

John 11:41-42. "And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, 'Father'..." At the grave of Lazarus He prayed, and especially note "...because of the people that stand by I said it." Remember, you don't find the Lord praying in public.

Luke 11:2. "And He said unto them, 'When ye pray'..." Teaching his disciples on prayer.

John 12:27-28. "...Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour..." He's not praying that He might get out of His duty for which He came into the world.

Matt. 26:36. "...Sit ye here, while I goan pray yonder." The garden in Gethsemane. Praying here towards the last of His time on earth.

Luke 23:34. "... Father forgive them; for they know not what they do." Prayed for his persecutors.

Luke 23:46. "...Father, into Thy hands I commend my spirit..." His last prayer.