I have been listening to a Bible study program both for its content and the fact that it is broadcast from Brazil. Someone asked if Jesus wrote any of the books of the Bible. While He may not have physically written any, we do believe that He inspired every word that others wrote, as revealed to us in 2 Timothy 3:16.
Did Jesus pray, and how did He pray? The Scriptures often mention that He prayed in response to particular needs and at specific locations; however, not much is said about the content of His prayer. Today, however, we heard Him not only praying but also what He said as He prayed.
For all those who sometimes say, Father, I don't know how to pray, we can learn from the master teacher not only from the content of his prayer today but also his encouragement with his words to Saint Paul. "Just as you bore witness to my cause in Jerusalem, so you must also do in Rome." Take courage. Be not afraid.
Conversations with God
In His prayer, Jesus was having a conversation with God. Admittedly, prayer can take many forms, even silence; however, today, at least, Jesus reveals what is coming from his heart. He is concerned for His disciples, those who helped Him carry out His mission, and asks the Father to bless people everywhere who will hear the Gospel message. Jesus is praying for all of humanity, present and future, a concern that hopefully manifests itself in our prayers.
It was moving to hear Jesus say that His disciples were a gift to Him from God. This is no less true of us today. The joy that Jesus felt for them is also the joy He has for us today.
Come to Know God
It was revealing to hear Jesus say how He wished his disciples could be with Him, that He missed their company. He wanted so badly for them to experience His new relationship, His glory now that He ascended to the Father, a desire He also has for us.
Jesus wanted us to come to know and love God the Father as He knew Him and loved God. For Jesus, God is love, and love consists not that we have loved God, but that God loved us first. Jesus knew that love would open our hearts and the hearts of others, that our love for others would make touchable the love of God that no one has ever seen.
For those who continue to wonder how to pray or what to say, hopefully, Jesus's words helped today.
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