Even Jesus Prayed

Even Jesus Prayed

True or false: Jesus is the most dependent person who ever lived? True!

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, the Son is not able to do anything on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son likewise does these things.” (Jn. 5:19 CSB)

So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own. But just as the Father taught me, I say these things.” (Jn. 8:28 CSB)

Jesus depended on the Father through prayer. Luke says “he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed” (5:16). Despite being the busiest person ever, he made time for prayer (cf. Mark 1:35; 6:46; Matthew 14:23; Luke 6:12). We often feel we lack the time and energy for prayer, but as Paul E. Miller says in his book A Praying Life (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2009), “If you are not praying, then you are quietly confident that time, money, and talent are all you need in life. You’ll always be a little too tired, a little too busy. But if, like Jesus, you realize you can’t do life on your own, then no matter how busy, no matter how tired you are, you will find the time to pray” (p. 49).

When I was younger I didn’t pray much. It always seemed unproductive. Why pray when I could do something? Boy was I foolish! What can be more productive than prayer? How much more productive I might have been had I prayed then as I ought to have done. But we all make mistakes and when God gives us eyes to see those mistakes we must correct them and move on.

Slowly I am learning the importance of prayer. I hope you are too. God has always brought renewal to his church in response to prayer. If you agree that the church needs renewal, then won’t you pray for it? Jesus models the way. To quote Paul Miller once more, “Regardless of how or when you pray, if you give God the space, he will touch your soul. God knows you are exhausted, but at the same time he longs to be part of your life. A feast awaits” (p. 51).