The prayers of Jesus are many. Across the gospels Jesus’s prayers are recorded in varying details. There are also references about him praying.
In this article a few of each have been listed with Bible verses. They have also been categorized into types of prayers.
Thanksgiving prayers of Jesus
Jesus always acknowledged that all good and wonderful things were all his Father’s blessings. He expressed gratitude to God and gave Him the glory.
For revelation – Matthew 11:25-26, Luke 10:21
Before raising Lazarus – John 11:41-42
Supplication prayers of Jesus
Jesus had many needs of his own. He presented his requests praying for these needs or for help.
While preparing for his crucifixion – John 12:27-28
For himself as he prepares to face the cross – John 17: 1-5
In the garden before his crucifixion – Matthew 26:36–46, Luke 22:39–46, Mark 14:36
On the cross, while dying – Luke 23:46
Petition / Intercession prayers of Jesus
Jesus didn’t pray for himself only. He prayed often for others.
For his disciples – John 17:6-19
For those who would come to believe through the ministry of the disciples – John 17:20-26
For those crucifying him – Luke 23:34
Lament prayers of Jesus
A lament prayer is one expressing sorrow and pain. Jesus certainly had reason to lament.
On the cross, feeling forsaken – Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
The model prayer of Jesus
This prayer is an example for us to follow. It includes several of the prayer types listed above.
The model prayer – Luke 11:1; Matthew 6:9-13)
References to Jesus praying
At his baptism – Luke 3:21–22
To start his ministry – Matthew 4:1
To start his day – Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16
To end his day – Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46
In the middle of his day – Luke 5:16
Before choosing his 12 disciples – Luke 6:12-13
Before feeding the 5000 – Matthew 14:19, Mark 6:41, Luke 9:16, John 6:11
Before feeding the 4000 – Matthew 15:36, Mark 8:6
Before performing a healing miracle – Mark 7:34
At his transfiguration – Luke 9:28-29
For the children – Matthew 19:13–14, Mark 10:13–16
In Gethsemane before the cross – Mark 14:32
At the Lord’s supper – Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22-23, Luke 22:17-19
For Peter – Luke 22:31–32
At a meal – Luke 24:30–31 Jerusalem?
In the presence of his disciples – Luke 9:18; Matthew 16:14-17
By himself – John 6:15
During his earthly life – Hebrews 5:7
Lessons from the prayer life of Jesus
Here are a few lessons from Jesus’s prayer life
Prayer is for relationship
For Jesus, prayer wasn’t just an activity. It was a natural part of his existence. As natural and involuntary as the process of inhaling and exhaling.
How was this possible?
Jesus had a deep intimate relationship with our heavenly Father. Without this relationship Jesus was not able to function.
Talking with his heavenly Father was not a convenience. It was a need. Although Jesus could go without food (John 4:32-34), he wouldn’t go on without prayer because he couldn’t bear being without the relationship with God.
So, prayer was the tool that Jesus used to keep connected to our Father and maintain a relationship with him.
Prayers isn’t supposed to be used like a magic penny or an ATM card. It shouldn’t be used to get what we want from God.
Rather, it is a tool to be used to build a truly intimate relationship with God.
Plan your prayer time
Because of the importance of prayer in Jesus’ life, he planned it into his day.
Observe what Scripture says about when Jesus prayed. His prayers happened both to start and to end his day. And he was also known to withdraw in the middle of the day to pray.
Remember, Jesus couldn’t function without the relationship with his Father. Therefore he took every opportunity to plug in to the source of his strength. This meant praying multiple times each day.
How about you? Is prayer an agenda item at several points in your day? Planning for prayer time doesn’t need to be complex.
Especially if your life is extremely busy like mine has been, a little creativity will go a long way in helping you stay connected to our Father.
Seek solitude for prayer
Jesus often prayed in solitude. Scripture used phrases like:
…a great while before day (Mark 1:35)
…withdrew to a solitary (desolate) place (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16)
…by himself or there alone.” (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46)
These phrases tell us that although Jesus sometimes prayed publicly, much of his prayer life was in private and in quiet solitude.
Jesus had extremely busy days. Once his ministry took off, crowds bombarded him. Sometimes these crowds were so thick that they would almost crush him.
To manage the crowd he would sometimes have to get into a boat and push out on the lake. He would teach sitting in that boat. Still people got into the water and crowded around the little vessel.
So during his day, Jesus had very little time for solitude. But he pursued it. He prioritized it.
In today’s noise-polluted, fast-paced world, we need to pursue prayer in solitude. Our heavenly has much to say to us.
Although his voice is loud and big enough to speak above the noise, God prefers to whisper. His voice is soft and gentle, small and still.
Seek solitude.
Prayer should come first
Notice something about Jesus…
Before going anywhere or performing any miracle Jesus often prayed. Again, this behavior shows his intimacy with God. And also this…
Jesus’ prayer life revealed that he wasn’t doing ministry alone. His ministry was a partnership with our Father in heaven and the Holy Spirit.
For this reason, he was in constant communication with them. His daily itinerary was created in consultation with them. There seems to be nothing that he didn’t seek their counsel on.
Is this the same in your life? Are you doing life, work, and ministry with God? Or are you dragging God along for the ride?
There’s a huge difference.
You’ll know whether you’re dragging God along if you do things and then pray afterwards.
But prayer comes before decisions and action, then you know you are in partnership with God.
So, which one describes your prayer life?
Jesus continues to pray
While Jesus was on earth, he prayed a lot. He prayed for himself but he also prayed for others plenty.
One his longest recorded prayers saw him talking to his Father about the disciples (John 17:6-19).
And do you know who else he mentioned in that prayer?
You and me.
Yes. Jesus prayed for us. We’re in the group classified as those who would come to believe through the ministry of the disciples (John 17:20-21).
And here’s an even more comforting truth:
Jesus’s prayer life didn’t end with his ministry on earth.
Hebrews 7:25 says
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
1 John 2:1 says
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
These verses tell us that Jesus is still praying for us. Only now he is face to face with our Father, talking to him about you and me.
This is why we can approach God with boldness (Hebrews 4:16). Because we are sure we have Jesus speaking up for us.
Jesus continues to intercede for us – Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, 1 John 2:1
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