Day 5 Devotional: Jesus | He is the Model of Prayer (Luke 11:1)

Luke 11:1 (NIV) 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.”

During this first week, we’ve focused on the essential nature of abiding in Christ. As we’ve discussed, apart from Him, we can do nothing. One of the most important aspects of abiding in Christ is loving others, especially our families. Shepherding our families is of utmost importance, and we cannot shepherd them without first being shepherded by the Good Shepherd Himself. This is what it means to abide in Him.

In this lesson, we’ll explore one of the most vital ways to abide in Christ: through prayer. By examining Jesus’ prayer life, we can learn how to deepen our own connection with God, allowing us to remain in His love and bear fruit in our lives.

Walking as Jesus Did: A Life of PrayerPrayer was central to Jesus’ life and ministry. Throughout the Gospels, we see that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray, spending entire nights in prayer, especially before making significant decisions, such as choosing His twelve apostles. He prayed with intense emotion in the Garden of Gethsemane, offering up loud cries and tears to the Father. His prayer life was so powerful and effective that His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, just as John taught his disciples.

The Importance of PrayerPrayer is essential for abiding in Christ. It’s how we communicate with God, align our will with His, and draw strength for our daily walk. Jesus teaches us the power of persistent and heartfelt prayer. He even told His disciples that certain spiritual battles could only be won through prayer, and in some cases, fasting as well.In my personal walk, I’ve found that starting my day with prayer is crucial. I wake up early, while it’s still dark, and begin my day by saying good morning to my Heavenly Father, thanking Him for life, and asking for His protection over my family. Throughout the day, I continue to pray, aiming to spend at least an hour in prayer, broken up into various moments. I also have specific times set aside to pray for the more specific needs and direction for my wife and children's lives. (I actually set a timer so I can block out all distractions and only focus on them for these times). In addition to my family, I also created a "prayer wall" in my phone for the needs of other people and needs.

To model our prayer life after Jesus, we must be intentional and consistent. Here are some practical steps:

1Set Aside Time for Prayer: Just as Jesus often withdrew to solitary places, we need to carve out dedicated time for prayer. Early mornings or late nights, when distractions are minimal, can be ideal.
2Start with Gratitude: Begin your prayers by acknowledging God’s goodness and thanking Him for His blessings, just as Jesus often thanked the Father.
3Pray Throughout the Day: Develop the habit of praying at various times throughout your day. This helps maintain a constant connection with God. There are also times we will stumble and sin. We need to confess these sins to God in prayer (and to our brothers and sisters in Christ).
4Pray for Specific Needs: Jesus prayed specifically for His disciples, for those He was ministering to, and for the Father’s will. Follow His example by praying specifically for your family, friends, and the needs around you.
5Pray with Passion and Persistence: Jesus’ prayers were filled with passion, whether He was in the Garden of Gethsemane or praying for others. Don’t be afraid to pour out your heart to God, even if it means crying out with emotion.

Reflection and Discussion Questions:

1How does Jesus’ prayer life challenge or inspire you in your own prayer life?
2How does Jesus’ prayer life challenge or inspire you in your own prayer life? What are some ways you can incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine?
3Have there been times when prayer has strengthened you or helped you overcome a difficult situation? Share those experiences.
4How can you model a life of prayer to those around you, especially within your family?

Prayer and Commitment:

As we conclude this lesson, let’s commit to following Jesus’ example in prayer. Let’s ask God to help us abide in Him more deeply through a vibrant and consistent prayer life, trusting that as we remain in Him, He will guide us and produce fruit through us.

Lesson 5: Jesus | With Him, We Learn How to Pray (Luke 11:1)

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