Our Hope: Jesus Prays

“Jesus answered, ‘Whatever you have asked for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’ ” Mark 11:24 (NIV)

Jesus believed in the power of prayer.  Not just His prayers, but yours and mine too.  Not only did He believe in it, He taught others how to pray, and joined them in prayer.  He was the example to mankind how, when, where and why we are to pray.

Do you have problems in your life that need solving?  Do you have heartaches, or worries?  We do not escape these things just because we are believers.  If anything, Jesus uses believers to reach and teach those who do not believe. And since every single thing that comes into our lives is first sifted through the hands of Jesus, we know He is using us, to make us examples to others as well.

It is not just unbelievers that Jesus calls us to be the example to.  It is also other Christians.  Because none of us are perfect, we fall down, we cry, we suffer.  We have pity parties, and we complain about our circumstances.  But through it all we have other Christians who are here for us, who lift us up, who lend a hand, and remind us of who we are in Christ, and all the good things we have to be thankful for.  Then we are back in service again, able to be effective, and able to be the kind of example Jesus wants us to be.

Prayer is huge.  It is personal.  It is necessary to remain close to Jesus.  It is where we meet Him in our souls, our very hearts.  It is where we hear His voice, and He hears ours.  It is the deepest communication we can have with Him on this side of the Jordan River.

Jesus prayed to His Father.  He prayed in the early mornings.  He prayed to Him when He was tired.  He prayed to Him for an escape, yet took the path the Father had planned for Him.  He prayed.  He wept.  He prayed again.

And He prays yet today, for us, His children, whom the Father gave to Him.  He keeps us in His hand, and He intercedes for us with the Father.  The forgiveness flowing from Him to the Throne of Grace and back to us comes through His prayers.

Jesus is Our Hope.  Because He is, He is the greatest Prayer Warrior ever known.  He wants us to follow Him in every way, but especially in prayer.  Because He knows and values its power, He wants us to be fully engaged in it.  So make sure you pray, and pray often, earnestly, and with praise and worship, thanksgiving and humility.  Do not hold back.  Cry out, shout, and sing.  Give your all to the One who gave all for you.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.”  Mark 1:35

Blessings!

Have you experienced prayer that was more powerful than you ever thought it could be? Please comment here or go to www.mystoryofgrace.com and share your story with us!