PRAYING WITH JESUS ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT

Praying With Jesus

On Sundays we usually take the opportunity to pray with others around the world.  Today I was drawn to have us pray with Jesus. 

Jesus is praying for us already.  We know that from what we are told in the Bible.

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.  Romans 8:34

He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.  Hebrews 7:25

When Jesus’ friends saw Jesus stepping aside so often to pray, they asked Him to teach them how to pray and so we have recorded for us what Jesus taught them.  Let’s pray the traditional words of that prayer now.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily breadand forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power nd the glory, forever. Amen.

While that is probably the most famous of Jesus’ prayers, the Bible has many more. 

Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”  John 11:41-42

What a great place to begin with You, Loving God, to affirm along with Jesus that we are grateful that you hear us; You always hear us.  We pray to have our confidence in that increased particularly during those times when the way and the time in which You answer is very different from what we want or expect and we don’t immediately recognize it.

Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.  Matthew 11:25-26

Lord we are grateful that You show us what we need to know about You, about ourselves, about life, about Your plans and purposes.  Help us to remain open and humble so You can reveal even more as we go forward.  We want to please You by being good learners.  Amen

Let’s learn from Jesus all day long.  Let’s pray as Jesus’ prayed.  Let’s be in the Father’s presence as Jesus was in the Father’s presence.