1. As we study the life of Christ we cannot help but notice that prayer was extremely important to Him. a. He had much to say about prayer in His teaching. b. He also spent a tremendous amount of time praying Himself. 2. In our lesson we are examining: a. some passages that Luke wrote in his Gospel about the Lord's prayer life b. some verses that Luke wrote in Acts about prayer in the Jerusalem congregation. 3. Let us first consider a number of . . .
Discussion:
I. PASSAGES THAT LUKE WROTE IN HIS GOSPEL ABOUT THE LORD'S PRAYER LIFE
A. (Luke 3:21-22) Jesus prayed when He was baptized. B. (Luke 5:15-16) Jesus prayed in a secluded area after teaching and healing great multitudes of people. C. (Luke 6:12-13) Jesus prayed all night before He selected His apostles. D. (Luke 9:17-18) Jesus prayed after feeding the 5,000. E. (Luke 9:28-29) Jesus prayed when He was transfigured. F. (Luke 11:1) Jesus had been praying when His disciples asked Him to teach them to pray. G. (Luke 22:31-32) Jesus prayed for Peter. H. (Luke 22:41-44) Jesus prayed before He was arrested. I. (Luke 23:34, 46) Jesus prayed while He was on the cross. J. From these passages we conclude that prayer was important to Jesus. K. Let us turn our attention to several . . .
II. VERSES THAT LUKE WROTE IN ACTS ABOUT PRAYER IN THE JERUSALEM CONGREGATION
A. (Acts 1:13-14) The Lord's followers prayed while they waited for the Lord to build His church. B. (Acts 1:23-25) They also prayed when a replacement for Judas was selected. C. (Acts 2:42) The members of the Jerusalem congregation "continued steadfastly in" [gave constant attention to] "prayers." D. (Acts 4:23-24, 31) Prayer was offered after Peter and John's release from custody. E. (Acts 6:4) The apostles were devoted to prayer. F. (Acts 6:6) The apostles prayed when the 7 men were appointed to serve the Jerusalem church. G. (Acts 12:5, 12) The Christians in Jerusalem prayed for Peter.
Conclusion:
1. Last week we examined "some things that Jesus believed." 2. The verses we read in Luke teach us that the Lord believed in prayer. 3. The example of the Jerusalem church in Acts teaches us that the Lord's followers are to believe in prayer. 4. Let us always remember the admonition given in Colossians 4:2 -- "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."