If Jesus is God Why Did he Pray?
In Christianity, the doctrine of the Trinity teaches that there is one God in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. While Jesus is considered to be fully God, he is also considered to be fully human, having taken on human nature in the Incarnation.
During his earthly ministry, Jesus prayed to God the Father as a way of communing with Him, seeking His will, and expressing His dependence on Him. This is evident in several instances in the New Testament, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed to the Father before his arrest and crucifixion.
While Jesus is not praying to himself in these instances, some people may find the concept of the Trinity confusing or difficult to understand. However, it is an essential belief in Christianity that helps to explain the nature of God and the relationship between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In addition to the above, it’s also worth noting that Jesus’ prayers demonstrate his perfect obedience to God and his desire to fulfill God’s will. In the Gospel of John, Jesus states that he only does what he sees the Father doing and only speaks what he hears the Father saying. Jesus’ prayers, therefore, were a way of aligning his human will with God’s divine will and seeking guidance and strength to carry out his mission on earth.
Furthermore, Jesus’ prayers serve as an example for believers to follow. In the Lord’s Prayer, which is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Jesus provides a model for how his followers should pray. He teaches them to acknowledge God’s holiness, submit to His will, ask for provision and forgiveness, and seek His protection from temptation and evil.
Overall, while the concept of the Trinity and Jesus’ prayers may be difficult to grasp fully, they serve to highlight the nature of God and His relationship with humanity. By praying to the Father, Jesus demonstrates his dependence on God and his submission to His will, setting an example for his followers to do the same.
When did Jesus pray to God?
As recorded in the Christian Bible, Jesus prayed to God on numerous occasions throughout his life. In fact, prayer was a regular part of Jesus’ daily practice and he often went to a quiet place to pray alone.
Some of the notable instances when Jesus prayed to God include:
Before his baptism: Jesus went to the Jordan River to be baptized by John the Baptist, and while he was praying, the Holy Spirit descended upon him and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)
Before he chose his disciples: Before Jesus chose his twelve disciples, he spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12-13)
In times of distress: Jesus often prayed to God during difficult and challenging times, such as when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion. (Matthew 26:36-44)
When he taught his disciples: Jesus also prayed with and for his disciples, teaching them how to pray and emphasizing the importance of prayer in their own lives. (Matthew 6:5-15)
Before performing miracles there are several stories in the testaments where Jesus prayed before doing a miracle. For case, before he looked Lazarus from the dead, Jesus prayed to God, saying,” Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew father you always see me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing then, that they may believe that you sent me.”( John 1141- 42)
During his public ministry: The Gospels often mention Jesus praying at different points during his public ministry, such as before he fed the five thousand, before he walked on water, and before he healed the sick. (Matthew 14:19-23, Mark 6:46-47, Luke 5:15-16)
During his trial and crucifixion: Even during the difficult moments of his trial and crucifixion, Jesus continued to pray to God. In fact, some of his last words on the cross were a prayer to God, saying, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” (Luke 23:46)
Through all these instances, Jesus’ prayers were a reflection of his close relationship with God and his reliance on Him for strength, guidance, and wisdom. Jesus’ example continues to inspire and encourage people to pray to God as well.