The Apostle Paul encourages us on multiple occasions to imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Ephesians 5:1). The word translated “imitate” in these texts is also translated as “followers” in the King James. The New Testament Greek word is μιμητής (mim-ay-tace) and means to imitate, emulate, or to follow after. Forms of the root word are found 11 times in the New Testament and 8 of those times it’s used by the Apostle Paul.
There are many attributes of Christ that Christians are to emulate. Some of Jesus’ characteristics include Him being: loving, compassionate, giving, merciful, faithful, obedient, honest, wise, patient, humble, and hopeful. We also see Jesus being a man dedicated to God’s Word and prayer. We would do well to pray like Jesus.
When confronted with a very important decision, Jesus prayed. In Luke 6:12 we’re told that Jesus “went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” We are faced with many significant choices in our lifetime. We would do well to pray like Jesus.
To help instill confidence in His Apostles, Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray (Luke 9:28). What followed was an amazing transfiguration of Jesus. Appearing along side Him were Moses and Elijah. The Apostles were assured that Jesus was the Messiah and embolden to faithfulness. Jesus also was encouraged as He was about to bring to fulfillment His mission in Jerusalem. Prayer can assure us, embolden us, and encourage us to follow Christ all the way. We would do well to pray like Jesus.
Certainly Jesus’ life of prayer made a positive impact on the Apostles. Luke 11:1 tells that “ . . . it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray . . . ”” Our prayer life can impact others, creating within them a desire to pray as well. Like Jesus, we should graciously offer to teach someone how to pray. Here is the instruction that Jesus presented in Luke 11:2-4, “2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”” We would do well to pray like Jesus.
When it came time for Jesus to fulfill His mission by going to the cross, we find Jesus in prayer along with His disciples. Luke 22:39-45 records what happened, “39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.” Praying with those we trust is a way to mutually encourage one another. However, we must remember that those we pray with also have struggles, fears, and temptations. Like Jesus we can be strengthen from our prayer. We would do well to pray like Jesus.
If, as Christians, we make the conscious decision to not pray, we fail to benefit from an incredible God-given resource. We need to pray like Jesus because life is bigger than any individual. In prayer we can find strength, peace, and direction. We would do well to pray like Jesus.
