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Jesus and Prayer

What we can learn about prayer from Jesus

(and pray better as a result)

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we Pray 2026

  • we Pray 2026: developing a habit of prayer
  • Lesson 1: Prayer Basics

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  • Today: Learn what Jesus can teach us about prayer, and how we can apply those teachings to our prayer lives.

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Jesus and Prayer

  • Jesus both taught on and modeled prayer
  • Prayer was centrally important to Jesus
  • Jesus provides lots of prayer examples

Warner Sallman, �Head of Christ, 1941

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Jesus Prayed by Himself

  • Matthew 14:23
  • Mark 1:35
  • Mark 6:45-46
  • Luke 5:15-16
  • Luke 6:12
  • Luke 9:18

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Heinrich Hofmann, �Agony in the Garden, 1886

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Jesus Prayed for Someone Specific

  • Matthew 19:13-15
  • Mark 10:13-16
  • Luke 22:31-32
  • Luke 22:34

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Jesus Prayed at Meals

  • Mark 6:41
  • Matthew 14:19
  • Luke 9:16
  • John 6:11
  • Mark 8:6-7
  • Matthew 26:26
  • Mark 14:22
  • Luke 22:17
  • Matthew 26:27
  • Mark 14:23
  • Luke 22:19
  • Luke 24:30

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Jesus Prayed at Important Life Events

  • Luke 3:21
  • Luke 9:28
  • Luke 22:34
  • Luke 24:51

Perugino, Baptism of Christ, �c. 1482 Sistine Chapel

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Jesus Teaching on Prayer

  • Matthew 5:44
  • Luke 6:27
  • Luke 18:9-14

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Conclusion

  • Develop a habit of prayer
  • Be specific in your prayers
  • Pray at each meal
  • Pray at important events in your life, and in the lives of those close to you
  • Pray for those who persecute you, who you would consider an enemy. This is hard, but do it at least once this week.
  • Next Week: Jesus Prays before the Crucifixion

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