Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader,
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 15—Jesus’ Example in Prayer
Jesus Prayed for Strength to Endure Trials—
Few will follow the example of our Saviour in earnest, frequent prayer to God for strength to endure the trials, and to perform the daily duties, of this life. Christ is the captain of our salvation, and by His own sufferings and sacrifice, has given an example to all His followers, that watchfulness and prayer and persevering effort were necessary on their part if they would rightly represent the love which dwelt in His bosom for the fallen race. — (The Review and Herald, February 23, 1886.) {Pr 168.4}
Prayer Strengthened Jesus for Trials—
Christ our Saviour was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He was without sin. He took human nature, being made in fashion as a man, and His necessities were the necessities of a man. He had bodily wants to be supplied, bodily weariness to be relieved. It was by prayer to His Father that He was braced for duty and for trial. Day by day He followed His round of duty, seeking to save souls.... And He spent whole nights in prayer in behalf of the tempted ones.... {Pr 171.2} The night seasons of prayer which the Saviour spent in the mountain or in the desert were essential to prepare Him for the trials He must meet in the days to follow. He felt the need of the refreshing and invigorating of soul and body, that He might meet the temptations of Satan; and those who are striving to live His life will feel this same need. — (Maranatha, 85.) {Pr 171.3} While Jerusalem was hushed in silence, and the disciples had returned to their homes to obtain refreshment in sleep, Jesus slept not. His divine pleadings were ascending to His Father for His disciples, that they might be kept from the evil influences which they would daily encounter in the world, and that His own soul might be strengthened and braced for the duties and trials of the coming day. — (The Review and Herald, August 17, 1886.) {Pr 171.4}
Our great exemplar in all things is Jesus Christ. I want to be like Jesus, how about you? Sister White has advised us to contemplate the life of Jesus, and when I do, I can’t help but to contemplate my own life as well. I think back to all the trials I’ve been through, and knowing what I know now, it was only because of Jesus that I was able to overcome these trials, and in so doing, each trial has taken me one more step towards heaven. Where would I be without Jesus? I shudder the thought. But, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, by God’s grace, one day we will all be in heaven. Amen.
Our Father, God Almighty,
We come humbly and boldly to the foot of Your throne in thanksgiving and in prayer. We thank You for giving us Your Holy Sabbath Day. A day where we can come to You as one body, collectively and individually to worship You in spirit and in truth. You told Your disciples that if they follow in Your word, that they shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free. We pray that You will free us from this world that we live in, a world in which we are merely pilgrims on our journey to Your heavenly city of New Jerusalem. But to get there, we need Your strength to overcome, even as You overcame. So, we pray that You grant us strength to endure the trials, that we may perform the daily duties of this life. Brace us for duty and for trials. We see our need, we know that we are miserable, wretched, poor, blind, and naked. We pray that You will refresh and invigorate our souls and our bodies that we may meet the temptations of Satan. As we wait on You, renew our strength that we may mount up with wings as eagles, that we may run and not grow weary, and walk and not faint. May these trials strengthen our characters that we may be an ensample unto others. Satan attacks us indirectly at times through those whom we love. Friends, co- workers, and family members. It pains us that some of our loved ones have rejected Your truth and have even gone as far as worshipping Satan through spiritualism. This brings us great sorrow, but we know that You perform miracles. So, we pray Dear Father, that You will perform miracles in their lives’ that they may know the truth and the truth shall make them free. How wonderful that will be to see our loved ones with us in heaven. But not our will but let thy will be done. As You went out, day by day, seeking to save souls, we pray that You will bless us while we go about doing Your business. Bless all that can hear this prayer. We are sorry and repent of our sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Save us, Captain of our salvation. Bless us with the fruit of Your spirit. Hear our humble cries. Do not pass us by. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers and we submit this prayer to the most Holy Place in the heavenly sanctuary. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
