The Organic Prayer Patterns of Christ

When we follow in the Savior’s footsteps and watch his life story told in the Gospels, we discover that prayer saturated all he did. Jesus prayed continually as he journeyed here on earth. Jesus is our example of all things good and beautiful.

So what do we learn in scripture about his patterns of praying organically?

Prayer in community

Our Savior prayed in public. With a crowd of mourners gathered at the opened tomb of Lazarus, we read that Jesus lifted his face and voice toward heaven: “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.’ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’” (John 11:41–43).

The Gospels also relate how the power of heaven moved through Jesus as he performed many miracles. A precursor to these life-changing moments was often prayer. “Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people” (Matthew 14:19).

It’s easy to miss, but notice that before the miracle of multiplying the loaves, Jesus gave thanks and acknowledged God’s provision in prayer. More than five thousand men plus women and children ate this gift of bread, and there were even leftovers.

Prayer marks moments when heaven intersects with earth.

Healing, too, was often accompanied by prayer. “He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (which means ‘Be opened!’). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly” (Mark 7:34–35). Jesus, with eyes open, looked upward and spoke one word and the power of heaven was released.

Prayer was so important for Jesus that when a major spiritual experience was on the horizon, Jesus gathered people to pray with him. “About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus” (Luke 9:28–30).

Jesus knew he would soon face the trial and pain of the cross, so he asked these three friends to pray with him. God’s answer was a revelation of his heavenly glory and a reminder of his true identity and mission in anticipation of his final days of suffering.

As we survey the life of Jesus, we should notice that prayer was not something Jesus reserved only for special and sacred moments. Yes, there were times when Jesus sought to be alone and experience the face of the Father in private intimacy, and so should we. But many of Jesus’ prayers were also part of the natural flow of life, spoken in public settings and lifted to heaven with his eyes wide open.

Prayer in quiet

Jesus also prayed in quiet and lonely places. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). After the previous full and taxing day of ministry, teaching, and healing, Jesus felt the need to slip away to be with the Father.

When Jesus was preparing to make a big decision, he cried out in prayer. Choosing his followers was a critical moment in the ministry of Jesus, so he made space to talk with his heavenly Father: “One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles” (Luke 6:12–13). What a beautiful model! Like Jesus, we should talk with God about every important decision before we make it.

What can we learn from Jesus’ example of prayer?

Jesus prayed in the most public of settings and in quiet places as he retreated from the world and sought the face of the Father. When we pray throughout the day, we too may find ourselves communing with God when we are alone and when we are surrounded by people.

As you begin each day, let us seek to follow Jesus’ example. Let us pray for encounters with people—with all sorts of neighbors in the various places we inhabit, work, and live. May we pray to keep our hearts humble. Let us make sure there is room in our schedules to slow down. Then love generously and share freely.

Organic prayers like these lead to organic conversations, and these in turn open the door for a powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

Taken from Organic Prayer: Discover the Presence and Power of God in the Everyday.