Words of Grace

By Rev. Mahlon Nevel

Jesus prayed in the evening. According to Matthew 14:23, he went up into a mountain by himself, and when the evening came, he was there praying alone.

Jesus prayed in the morning. According to Mark 1:35, he rose up early in the morning, a great while before daylight, and departed to a solitary place where he prayed.

Jesus prayed at night, and some times all night. According to Luke 6:12, he went out to pray on a mountain, and he continued to pray all night.

His disciples knew that Jesus was a man of prayer. They had observed his prayer life on many occasions.

We read in Luke 11:1 about how the Lord had been praying in a certain place with his disciples. When he had finished his prayer, one of them asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

The first thing Jesus taught them was what to say. “When you pray, say.” Praying is saying, talking to the Father.

To pray is to say: “Give us…forgive us…lead us…deliver us.”

He also taught them what prayer is. Prayer is asking. Prayer is seeking. Prayer is knocking. (v.9)

And then Jesus gave his disciples the assurance that their prayers would be answered. Everyone who asks will receive. He who seeks will find. To him who knocks it will be opened. (v.10)

May the Lord teach us to pray like he prayed.