When You Need to Know How to Pray – Model Jesus

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For generations, people have turned to one or more of the thousands of books written about prayer. Yet, when you and I want to know how to pray, there’s nothing better than to model Jesus’ words in Scripture.

When His followers asked Him to teach them to pray, He gave them the Lord’s Prayer. But we can also learn from His “High Priestly Prayer” in John 17.

It’s always blessed my heart to know that although Jesus knew what the days ahead would entail, He paused to pray … not just for Himself, but for His disciples, and for us—the people of every generation who would surrender to Him in faith.

Scripture tells us that the Lord “delights in our prayers.” (Proverbs 15:8) But if you’re like me, you often feel inadequate when it comes to your prayer life. So, let’s pause and see how we can…

Model Jesus with Our Prayers

♥ Pray to Glorify God

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so He can give glory back to You.

John 17:1

♥ Profess Our Faith in Jesus

This is the way to have eternal life—to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One you sent to earth.

John 17:3

♥Ask God for His Protection from the Power of the Enemy

 I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.

John 17:15

♥ Pray to Know the Truth and Grow in Faith

Make them holy by Your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

John 17:17–19

♥ Pray for Jesus’ Followers to Be United in Faith

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me.

John 17:20–21

♥ Pray the World will KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST the LORD Now and Always

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know You, but I do; and these disciples know You sent me. I have revealed You to them, and I will continue to do so. Then Your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17:25

So, how should you and I pray? We should model Jesus…

1. Praise God – Glorify Him with gratitude.
2. Repent – Acknowledge that God’s grace through Jesus’ death and resurrection is the only way to salvation.
3. Ask – Appeal to God for His help in our lives and the lives of others.
4. Yield – Surrender our lives to God and invite Him to fill us with His love.

Every time I read Jesus’ prayer, I’m overwhelmed by the magnitude of His love and desire for everyone to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Him, wanting us to enjoy His blessings in every part of our lives.

Let’s go to the Father, and ask for the Spirit’s help to model Jesus with our prayers…

A Prayer to Model Jesus
When We Need to Know How to Pray

Father God, I praise You! Your love overwhelms me.

Thank you for graciously sending Jesus to save us from the eternal punishment we deserve. Thank you for sending Him to show us what it looks like to live a life for Your glory.

Thank you for allowing me to KNOW and LOVE You. Through faith and the power of Your Spirit, I know that I fall short of Your will for me every day. I am a sinner. Please forgive me and give me everything I need to TRUST and OBEY You faithfully.

Thank you for promising to give me everything I need. So, I believe if there is something You want for me, You will provide. By Your grace, please protect me and those whom I love from the enemy’s attacks. Strengthen us to resist Him as we rely on You.

Help me focus on Jesus so that I might follow Him and glorify You with all I think, say, and do. Please unite Your children and help us love each other well. And through Your Spirit, awaken the world to Your grace, mercy, and love through the gift of faith.

I give this all to You, in the precious name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Would you like to know another wonderful blessing? God’s Word promises that Jesus not only prayed for us then, but He continues to pray for us today.

Because Jesus lives forever, His priesthood lasts forever. Therefore, He is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

Hebrews 7:24–25

Jesus showed us the importance of getting away to pray privately. He taught us to pray humbly and persistently. And He encouraged us to pray in faith with gratitude.

Praise God! When you and I need to know how to pray, we can model Jesus.

May God bless you and fill you with His love as you go to Him in prayer.

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