What did Jesus Christ Teach About Prayer?

Prayer was central to the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth (c. 6–4 BCE—c. 30 CE). Jesus is often recorded as having engaged in prayer and he taught his audiences about prayer.

On historical grounds, that Jesus prayed and taught others about prayer have a strong historicity. They are present in all the gospel sources and traditions: Mark, Q, the material unique to Matthew (M) and to Luke (L), and in John’s gospel. There is further independent attestation in Hebrews 5:7.

Jesus is often recorded as having prayed:

He prayed at his baptism (Luke 3:21);
He withdrew to a desert place to pray (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; cf. Mark 6:46; Matt 14:23; Luke 9:28);
He prayed all night before choosing his disciples (Luke 6:12);
He prayed over children (Matt. 19:13);
He prayed before meals (Mark 6:41; 14:22)
He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his betrayal (Mark 14:32–42; Matt. 26:39; Luke 22:44)

Jesus affirmed that the Temple is a house of prayer (Mark 11:17; Matt. 21:13; Luke 19:46; cf. Isa. 56:7) and, during his trial, claimed that a prayer to his heavenly Father for deliverance would result in more than twelve legions of angels coming to rescue him (Matt. 26:53).

Although the Gospel of John depicts Jesus at prayer less frequently, the discourse of chapter 17 is a prayer to God that is also the longest of the prayers attributed to Jesus in all four gospels.

Nine prayers of Jesus are present in the gospels:

The Lord’s Prayer (Matt. 6:9–13; Luke 11:2–4);
the praise of the Father on the occasion of the disciples’ return after their first mission (Matt. 11:25–27);
The prayer at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:41–42);
The prayer in the temple precincts (John 12:27–28);
The “high priestly” prayer of John 17;
The prayer in Gethsemane (Mark 14:36; Matt. 26:39, 42; Luke 22:42);
The prayer for God’s forgiveness of those crucifying him (Luke 23:34);
The cry of dereliction (Mark 15:34; Matt. 27:46);
the prayer at the point of death (Luke 23:46).

Jesus taught his listeners the following regarding prayer:

He taught his disciples to pray in secret rather than ostentatiously in public view (Matt. 6:5–6), in the face of trial (Mark 14:38; Matt. 26:41; Luke 22:40), and for those who persecute and abuse them (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28).
That certain demons can only be exorcised by prayer (Mark 9:29).
He condemned the long prayers of the scribes (Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47).
Prayer should be simple, instead of using many empty phrases, as evident in the prayers of Gentiles, and directed to the Father (Matt. 6:7).
God, the Father, knows what one needs before one even approaches him in prayer (Matt. 8).
The Father is a generous giver in response to prayer (Matt. 7:7–11; Luke 11:9–13).
Prayer for God’s forgiveness is granted to those who humble themselves, whereas the prayers of those who pride themselves on their moral achievement will not be heard (Luke 18:9–14).
Forgiving others is the ground upon which God will forgive one’s own sins (Mark 11:25; Matt. 6:12, 14–15).
Prayer will be answered if, as Jesus informed his disciples, one prays in confidence that God will grant their requests and believes that they have already received that for which they ask (Mark 11:22–24; Matt. 21:21–22).