We all know prayer is an important part of our Christian life.

Jesus prayed often. It seems that He prayed so often that his disciples asked Him to teach them to pray:

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’”. Luke 11:1

Prayer is an essential part of every major religion and is practiced by many religious people each day. But what made prayer important for Jesus? Why does the Son of God and Son of Man pray? Let me offer a few things to consider on my reflections as to why Jesus prayed.

1. Jesus prayed as an example to His disciples. Jesus came to not only redeem Mankind but to show us The Father (John 14:8-21), and teach us how to love and serve others (John 13:12-17). His life was an example for all of us to follow. Early in His ministry, Jesus was approached by His disciples and compelled to teach them to pray as He prayed as Luke 11:1 reveals. Jesus prayed to the Father to give us an example of a deeper intimacy with God can be attained.
2. Jesus prayed to connect with The Father. Until the Incarnation, Jesus, The Father and Holy Spirit dwelt in perfect community and harmony (John 10:30, John 14:7-29). With the Incarnation, this relationship became new and different (Colossians 2:9): Jesus was now having a human experience and humans are invited to connect with the Father through prayer (Philippians 4:6, Psalm 145:18).
3. Jesus prayed to show His dependance on God and His love for God (John 5:19-20). As humans it is essential for us to depend on God. Jesus, being The God-Man, showed His dependance on God by remaining in constant communion with The Father through Holy Spirit by prayer. Jesus only did what The Father wanted. Jesus loved the Father and pleased Him through His obedience and dependance on Him (Philippians 2:5-11).Harkening back to Jesus being an example, Jesus prayed to the Father to demonstrate humility and obedience, dependance and love (Philippians 2:5-11, John 6:38,Matthew 26:38-40) which He found in connecting with the Father.

Do you have any other thoughts on why Jesus prayed? Share them with me. I’d love to hear from you!