
Primary Passage: Hebrews 5:7
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
Sermon Notes
Thoughts to Consider:
1. Prayer is the very
2. Prayer is a
Five Finger Prayer:
1. Adoration (thumb) - God, I love you.
2. Thankgiving (pointer) - God, I am thankful for…
3. Confession (middle) - God, I am sorry for…
4. Intercession (ring) - God, I pray for…
5. Supplication (pinky) - God, I need…
Different Breath Prayers:
Inhale: Be still and know…
exhale: that I am God.
Inhale: Father into your hands…
exhale: I commit my spirit.
Inhale: Lord Jesus Christ…
exhale: have mercy on me, a sinner.
Quote from Barbara Brown Taylor’s book: An Altar in the World
“Prayer is not the same thing as prayers. Prayers are important. Saying psalms in the morning is a good way to head into the day more prayerfully. So is going to church, where I can add my voice to those of a whole congregation aiming to woo God’s ears with their ancient, beautiful cadence. Still, prayer is more than saying set prayers at set times. Prayer, according to Brother David, is waking up to the presence of God no matter where I am or what I am doing. When I am fully alert to whatever or whoever is right in front of me; when I am electrically aware of the tremendous gift of being alive; when I am able to give myself wholly to the moment I am in, then I am in prayer. Prayer is happening, and it is not necessarily something that I am doing. God is happening, and I am lucky enough to know that I am in The Midst.”
Jesus Praying in the Bible:
The Bible tells us in (1 Th 5:17) to “pray without ceasing.” Jesus was continually in a prayer mode. He is shown to pray: alone (Mt 14:23)(Mk 1:35)(Lk 9:18)(Lk 22:39-41), in public (Jn 11:41-42)(Jn 12:27-30), before meals (Mt 26:26)(Mk 8:6)(Lk 24:30)(Jn 6:11), before important decisions (Lk 6:12-13), before healing (Mk 7:34-35), after healing (Lk 5:16), to do God’s will (Mt 26:36-44), among other things. He also taught on the importance of prayer (Mt 21:22)(Mk 11:24-26)(Mt 7:7-11)(Lk 11:9-13)(Jn 14:13-14)(Jn 15:7,16)(Jn 16:23-24)(Mt 5:44)(Lk 6:27-28)(Mt 6:5-15: including the Lord’s Prayer)(Lk 11:2-4)(Mt 18:19-20). If you want to read an extended form of Jesus praying, look to Jn 17.
Here is another way of looking at it:
(Lk 3:21-22) At His Baptism.
(Mk 1:35-36) In the morning before heading to Galilee.
(Lk 5:16) After healing people.
(Lk 6:12-13) Praying all night before choosing His 12 disciples.
(Mt 11:25-26) While speaking to the Jewish leaders.
(Jn 6:11) Giving thanks to the Father before feeding 5000.
(Also see: Mt 14:19, Mk 6:41, Lk 9:16)
(Mt 14:23) Before walking on water.
(Also see: Mk 6:46, Jn 6:15)
(Mk 7:31-37) While healing a deaf and mute man.
(Mt 15:36) Giving thanks to the Father before feeding 4000.
(Also see: Mk 8:6-7)
(Lk 9:18) Before Peter called Jesus “the Christ.”
(Lk 9:28-29) At the Transfiguration.
(Lk 10:21) At the return of the seventy.
(Lk 11:1) Before teaching His disciples the Lord’s Prayer.
(Jn 11:41-42) Before raising Lazarus from the dead.
(Mt 19:13-15) Laying hands on and praying for little children.
(Also see: Mk 10:13-16, Lk 18:15-17)
(Jn 12:27-28) Asking the Father to glorify His name.
(Mt 26:26) At the Lord’s Supper.
(Also see: Mk 14:22-23, Lk 22:19)
(Lk 22:31-32) Prayed for Peter’s faith when Satan asked to “sift” him.
(Jn 17:1-26) Prayed for Himself, His disciples, and all believers just before heading to Gethsemane.
(Mt 26:36-46) In Gethsemane before His betrayal. (He prayed 3 separate prayers.)
(Also see: Lk 22:39-46, Mk 14:32-42)
(Lk 23:34) Right after being nailed to the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
(Mt 27:46) While dying on the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
(Also see: Mk 15:34)
(Lk 23:46) In His dying breath, Jesus prayed, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.
(Lk 24:30) Prayed a blessing on the bread before He ate with others after His resurrection.
(Lk 24:50-53) He blessed the disciples before His Ascension.