Paul says we should be DEVOTED to prayer, Colossians 4:2. God shows by example that his church started with devotion to prayer, Acts 2:42. Since we follow Christ, his prayers should be what we learn from and emulate in some way and to some extent. Peter said of Jesus, “… leaving us an example” (1st Peter 2:21) “Example” is from the Greek hupogrammos, defined as “to write under, to trace letters for copying by scholars”. Jesus is our example in prayer, especially in making important decisions, Luke 6:12. The requests Jesus makes in his prayers are for our spiritual welfare, strength and unity, Luke 22:32, Matthew 9:38 & John 17:1-26. Jesus also taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13, and he taught that we better not run out of oil, Matthew 25:1-13. What does the oil represent?
The following are highlights from the gospels focusing on the prayers of Jesus.
Frequently Alone, Mat. 14:23 & 26:36 & Luk. 5:16. Matt. 6:6, Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12, Luke 9:18, Luke 22:39-41.
Frequently Thankful.
• when he fed the five thousand with the boy’s lunch of bread and fish (Mark 6:41);
• when he fed the four thousand (Mark 8:6);
• when he shared a meal with his disciples in the upper room the night before his crucifixion (Mark 14:22);
• following his resurrection, when he shared a meal with Cleopas and his wife in Emmaus (Luke 24:30).
In a village north of Jerusalem Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to give thanks (Read Luke 17:15-16). Jesus affirms him even as he confronts the ungrateful (Read Luke 17:17-18). Neglecting to give thanks puts ourselves in jeopardy of being weak to do the will of God. Gratitude is the attitude that gives magnitude to our spirit!
Epaggelia 
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