Why Did Jesus Pray

QUESTION: Why did Jesus pray?

ANSWER:

If He is God, why did Jesus pray? Prayer was an important part of Jesus' life. Many times in the Gospels, we read that Jesus prayed or went alone to pray apart from the disciples. Why did Jesus pray? Jesus prayed because of His relationship with the Father. In John chapter 17, we find Jesus' high priestly prayer. This prayer is Jesus' intercession for the disciples and all who would believe in Him because of their testimony (John 17:20). In this prayer, we see Jesus' relationship with the Father and the confidence that He has in His Father's perfect provision and plan. Jesus' relationship with the Father was the power that brought salvation to man.

Jesus laid aside His glory and took on the mantle of flesh (Philippians 2:5-8) and while He wore that mantle, He was obedient to the Father. Why did Jesus pray? Jesus prayed because of His dependence upon and His obedience to the Father. Jesus said, "I can of Mine own Self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me" (John 5:30). Therefore, Jesus was in complete submission to the Father.

Quite often we hear "What would Jesus do?" Yet the better question is, "What did Jesus do?" Asking what would Jesus do is subjective to what we think He did. Asking what Jesus did is objective because we have the Gospel record. What did Jesus do? Jesus prayed often and consistently. In order to maintain our relationship with the Father as born again believers, consistent, fervent prayer is essential. It is the one piece of the armor that God provides us (Ephesians 6:11-18) that energizes each of the other pieces. Why did Jesus pray? He prayed to teach us that as children of God, our obedient submission to the will of the Father will bring us spiritual blessing.