Pray Without Ceasing VI The Habit of Jesus

Pray Without Ceasing VI

The Habit of Jesus

Misc. Verses

There are a number of things to consider before we seek to answer the question: Did Jesus Pray Without Ceasing?

Briefly, the first is to establish the fact that the way Jesus and the Father communicated before the incarnation appears to be different than during his days on earth.

Before the Creation and until the incarnation, the Father and the Son were so united that if one of them thought about something the entire Trinity was aware of it. I'm using human analogies to help our understanding.

In early Genesis we find an apparent communication that reads, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." It may be what is called the "Royal We." Where one speaks for many--or an entire administration. But, that may be imposing back upon God what we know of some of the most ancient kings. For our purposes, the Trinity is so united in essence and purpose that whatever one says or thinks, they all do. The doctrine of God's simplicity tells us, among other things, that God is one. As He is One, he is one in a unity of three persons: Father Son and Holy Spirit. We know God by his works. In the scriptures, the works of God are portrayed as being completed by these three personae working in perfect harmony within the unity it is to be God.

So, in their purest form, they communicate via the fellowship they enjoy and have always enjoyed in perfect loving harmony without ever a word or a thought os dissension. It must have been wonderful. This is a picture of the enjoyment our first parents enjoyed in the creation.

There is a difference however, in how beings tied to a temporal existence communicate with those who are not. After Jesus took on flesh, touching this humanity, he prayed to his father.

Also remember what was introduced last week. We do not have a complete record of all that Jesus said and did:

John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book....

John 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written….

Listen to what the scriptures tell us about the prayer life of Jesus:

Luke 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.  22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said,  “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

The response of Jesus to his baptism where he identified with sinners and their need, was to pray….

The multitude was after Jesus, on another day, He just wanted to be alone. He escaped to a deserted place, to pray. Pray was more important at that time than dealing with the people. What a wonderful precedent:

Luke 4:42 (NKJV) Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them;

From additional scriptures, it is believed that when this formula is used, it shows Jesus going out to meditate and pray in a place that was out of the way.

Some other day, very early in the morning, we read these words about a point still early in his ministry:

Mark 1:35  Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. [And]

Luke 5:15 However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.  16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

And Late in his ministry we read: Luke 22:39  Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 

Throughout his ministry he had developed a habit. While he was in Jerusalem, and near the temple, he went to the same place to pray. It was his habit. This was one of his quiet places to pray without ceasing.

This is starting to develop my argument that Jesus used the Pray Without Ceasing Method, just as his people were taught in a number of ways, not just in the words, "Pray without ceasing….(1 Thes 5:17)."

Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  31 And He said to them,  “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

When those sent out returned, Jesus took them to a quiet place, a deserted place in order to rest away from the crowd that were busy among them as the disciples did not even have time to ingest food. Rest and prayer are more important than food, for the short term at least.

The disciples knew where it was that Jesus had gone to get alone by himself to pray…. Out of these times comes important times of ministry. Here it is towards Peter:

Luke 9:18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying,  “Who do the crowds say that I am?”  19 So they answered and said,  “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”  20 He said to them,  “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said,  “The Christ of God.”

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all,  “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.  24  “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  25  “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?  26  “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:27ff  “But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”  28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 

At important points throughout the ministry of Jesus, he took time to pray…. Continuing at the event we call the transfiguration, we read….

Luke 9:29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

Peter, James and John had the tremendous blessing of seeing all of this. What is often lost is that this event was couched in the four of them going away to pray. It was during this time that the transfiguration happened.

At another time, we are told what Jesus prayed. It is rare to read the content of Jesus' prayers. We know that he prayed and where he prayed a lot more than we know what he prayed. Thanks be to the Lord, that we have some of His words recorded to know what he prayed as well:

Luke 10:21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said,  “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

Short, sweet, theologically informed, but directed to the point. Prayers don't need to be long. But, they need to be directed. They can be very short. The above prayer is a five second prayer from the lips of Jesus.

Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray,….

This is the second time Jesus taught the disciples the Lord's Prayer. He was praying. The disciples came and asked to be taught again how to pray.

At Bethany, near the tomb of his friend, Lazarus, we read about another of Jesus' prayers:

John 11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, [THE PRAYER] “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  42  “And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

Apparently, Jesus did not always pray aloud. At this place, and there are others, Jesus did to teach important lessons of belief and glorifying God. Death and grief hides God from the minds of some. Jesus reveals the importance of praying to a God who listens and hears. Prayer can have evangelistic content that people might believe. We should be careful that praying does not turn into extended preaching. But, a little is called for in the use of wisdom.

Back to the method of Jesus. He felt the coming crucifixion like none of us ever could. He knew what he was going to suffer not for himself, but for others. He was perfect and holy, even in his humanity. God was going to pour out his wrath upon Jesus and Jesus knew all that that meant, being God himself.

JESUS PRAYED WHILE TROUBLED IN HIS SPIRIT:

The incarnate Christ was troubled as he considered giving his life for the likes of us. He didn't doubt, he knew what he was going to experience in his humanity and his divinity. It was so great that it provoked him to be agitated or troubled, But we find the resolve of  Jesus to do all that needs to be done for the good of others. Let's consider this prayer from the Incarnate Christ to his heavenly Father:

John 12:27  “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say?  ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.  28  “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, saying,  “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

10-12 seconds of praying. More evidence of the prayer life of Jesus being one of praying regularly and habitually, especially as needs arise. It wasn't necessarily programmed to be at the same time each day. I'm not saying that is wrong. Only, if it keeps us from praying without ceasing, it is questionable. If we live in a spirit of prayer, looking for opportunities to pray, our prayers would have greater effect in our life and in the world.

The ministry of Jesus was all about making the glory of God known among men. The Father said he already had prior tp that great suffering. There was something about the presence of Christ on the earth that already manifest the glory of God among men--and not just at the transfiguration. The Father gives the promise that He will glorify his name again. The Father did this in the death and resurrection of Jesus and many times since. Every person who has been brought out of darkness into God's marvelous light has shown forth the brilliance of that glory. Salvation breaks into the world of darkness to take souls into the kingdom of light.

Jesus talks to Peter or Simon to tell him what is going on. We see a glimpse of the battle against principalities and powers in the hidden world:

The verses of Luke 22:31-32 have one of the greatest insights into the directed, personal, praying of Jesus.

Luke 22:31 (NKJV) And the Lord said,“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.

DO you know what sifting is in the ancient world. The wheat would be beaten, then through up in the air where a winnowing fan would be used to separated the good wheat, from the hard casing of the chaff. The image is that atan wanted to pick Peter up, toss him in the air, blow on his with a giant winnowing fan to see if he had any good and anything usable in him. It is a very poignant and violent image from the ancient world often lost upon us in the modern world. How much force does it take to lift up a tough fisherman?

Peter, Satan and I have had a conversation about you, or I know what he wants to do to you because I an omniscient, but He wants to sift you like wheat.

Another blessed interruption. The thought does not stop with what Satan wants. It goes on to what Jesus wants: Jesus comforts Simon Peter with these words:

 32  “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

We don't know when it was that Jesus went away to pray this prayer. All we know is that he did at an appropriate time. Did he go away, did he seclude himself, did he quickly bow and pray a short prayer that lasted only a few seconds, if that? All we know is that Jesus, even during his life on earth, interceded for Peter, perhaps the most troubling of the disciples.

Jesus knows all about us, too. He knows us thoroughly. He knows our needs. And, just like he did for Peter, he continues to intercede for us.

Heb. 7:24  But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

At all times, no matter where we may be, Jesus prays for us according to our need. When you realize something is troubling your soul in this life, remember this, Jesus has already prayed to the heavenly father, his and yours.

When I pray and remember this especially in troublesome times, I cannot hold back the tears from my eyes. Why? Is this not one of the greatest comforts we can ever have in this life? Our situation may not be that Satan wants to sift us as wheat, but it might be extraordinary,  or even ordinary, but troubling. It might be something that agitates you more than me. It might be something other humans don't understand, But Jesus does and He has already prayed for you. It is one of the works he continues to do in heaven as he moves from praying continually to praying continuously, that great meaning of praying without ceasing. He is glorified in heaven, yet still aware of all his brothers and sisters and their needs spiritual and material. And, he prays for us. He is omnipresent touching his divinity. He is omnipotent and omniscient knowing all about us. And, he continues to intercede among the other glorified works he does for us. Jesus gives the phrase pray without ceasing the fullest meaning is can ever have. But, that is something we will never be, nor is it expected of us. The kind of praying without ceasing Jesus did in his humanity while on the earth, is the kind of praying we are called to do.

There are so many other places where we could go to see these same realities in the life of Jesus. But, let us let these suffice for the day --with that wonder-filled reality that even now, IF we were able to hear the voice of Jesus after giving our concerns to him, we would hear him say, I have already prayed for you. There is nothing that can happen to us that will not bring with it the pray of Jesus for his own--even if we forget to pray, I believe, he will and likely already has.

It is this Lord and his love that saves sinners. He is the glorious one to whom we must look for our soul's salvation. We are sinners in need of God's grace to forgive our many sins. May the Heavenly Father teach us how to love the Son that lived and died for us while praying without ceasing for his people. This is part of that great promise that he will never leave us or forsake us. It is all part of the good news, that glorious Gospel that God saves and keeps sinners who call out to him by faith.

Add to that:

Luke 5:16 (NKJV) So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

And: Matt. 14:23 (NKJV) And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.

Mark 1:35 (NKJV) Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

Mark 6:41 (NKJV) And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.

Mark 6:46 (NKJV) And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

Throughout his life on the earth, Jesus prayed without ceasing. Throughout his life in glory, he continues to pray for his own. 

And, in his high priestly prayer, Jesus also prayed for us:

20 I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  21  “that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  22  “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  23  “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  24  “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

When believers die at anytime through this age, this prayer is answered. Jesus desired that those gifted to him for salvation, might go to be wherever he is. And, in being where he is will see and understand the Glory God has given to him.

Then he adds:

25  “O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  26  “And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Do you feel inadequate in these things? Even Jesus had to learn obedience. It is not that he was disobedient at any point, but that he learned how to be more and more obediently conformed to His Father's will.

Heb. 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:  “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.”  6 As He also says in another place:  “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”;  7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,  8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.