Did Jesus emphasize prayer in his own earthly ministry?

Look at how many times the gospels highlight his prayer life:

• He prayed at his baptism—Luke 3:21
• His prayers gave his ministry direction—Mark 1:35
• He frequently prayed despite a heavy ministry schedule—Luke 5:16
• He prayed all night before choosing apostles—Luke 6:12-13
• His all-night praying produced miracles—Matthew 14:23-25
• He prayed to open his disciples’ hearts—Luke 9:18-20
• His prayers transformed him—Luke 9:28-29
• His prayers were impelled by the Holy Spirit—Luke 10:21
• His prayers inspired the disciples to imitate him—Luke 11:1-13
• He prayed for the children—Matthew 19:13-14
• His prayers raised the dead—John 11:41-42
• His praying kept his mission in perspective—John 12:27-28
• His gratitude produced thanksgiving in his prayers—Matthew 14:19 & 26:26-27
• He interceded in prayer for the disciples—Luke 22:31-32
• He prayed for his church on the night before his crucifixion—John 17:1-26
• He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane—Luke 22:39-46
• He prayed while on the cross—Luke 23:34, 46

These seventeen peeks into Jesus’ prayer life make the point—he considered praying to his Father a non-negotiable, vital part of his life’s mission on earth.

“Is it not written; ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’?” -Jesus (Mark 11:17 NIV)

Why do you think many Christ-followers find prayer ineffective?

Do you know anyone who could teach a better prayer seminar than Jesus—the Son of God Himself?

Look at these powerful things Jesus taught about prayer:

• He said we should pray for our enemies—Matthew 5:44.
• He taught that our praying should be sincere, not hypocritical—Matthew 6:5 & Mark 12:40 (Luke 20:47).
• He told us that praying in secret is powerful—Matthew 6:6.
• He said that our prayers don’t have to be long, babbling prayers to be heard—Matthew 6:7
• He gave us an example of simple, powerful praying—Matthew 6:9-15 & Luke 11:1-4.
• He taught that persistence is the key to answered prayers—Matthew 7:7-12 plus Luke 11:5-13 & 18:18-20.
• He told us to pray for more workers to harvest lost souls—Matthew 9:35-38 & Luke 10:1-2.
• He said unity in prayer brings great power—Matthew 18:18-20.
• He said His church is to be a ‘house of prayer’—Matthew 21:12-13 & Mark 11:15-17 plus Luke 19:45-46.
• He said prayer from the right heart will get answered—Luke 18:9-14.
• He said we win spiritual battles in prayer—Mark 9:28-29.
• He told us that faith is a key to answered prayer—Mark 11:24 & Matthew 21:22.
• He taught that we must forgive others as we pray—Mark 11:25.
• He said praying in His Name is the key to powerful results—John 14:13-14; John 15:7, 16 and John 16:23-27

Have you experienced any prayer answers that came from one of these principles?