Topical Bible: John: Teaches his Disciples to Pray

◄ John: Teaches his Disciples to Pray ►

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In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus on prayer are primarily recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. However, the Gospel of John, while not providing a direct account of Jesus teaching a specific prayer like the Lord's Prayer, offers profound insights into the nature and essence of prayer through the life and teachings of Jesus.

Prayer in the Gospel of John

The Gospel of John emphasizes the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father, which serves as a model for the believer's prayer life. Jesus' prayers in John are characterized by a deep sense of unity with the Father, a theme that is central to understanding prayer in this Gospel.

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17)

One of the most significant passages on prayer in the Gospel of John is the High Priestly Prayer in John 17. This chapter provides a profound example of Jesus' intercessory prayer for His disciples and all future believers. Jesus prays for His glorification, the sanctification of His disciples, and the unity of all believers. This prayer reveals the heart of Jesus for His followers and underscores the importance of intercession, unity, and sanctification in the life of a believer.

· Glorification: Jesus begins by praying for His own glorification, which is intrinsically linked to the glorification of the Father. "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You" (John 17:1). This reflects the purpose of prayer as aligning with God's will and glory.

· Sanctification: Jesus prays for the sanctification of His disciples through the truth of God's word. "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). This highlights the transformative power of prayer and the Word in the believer's life.

· Unity: A significant portion of the prayer is dedicated to the unity of believers. "I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one" (John 17:22). This unity is a testament to the world of the divine mission of Jesus and the love of God.

Jesus' Example of Prayer

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus exemplifies a life of prayer and dependence on the Father. His frequent retreats for prayer and His statements about doing nothing on His own but only what He sees the Father doing (John 5:19) serve as a model for believers. This dependence on the Father is a key aspect of the prayer life that Jesus teaches His disciples.

Prayer and the Holy Spirit

In John 14-16, Jesus speaks extensively about the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will guide, teach, and empower the disciples. The role of the Holy Spirit in prayer is implicit in these teachings. Jesus assures His disciples that whatever they ask in His name, He will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13-14). This promise underscores the authority and power of prayer in Jesus' name, facilitated by the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion

While the Gospel of John does not contain a direct teaching on prayer like the synoptic Gospels, it provides a rich theological framework for understanding prayer through the relationship between Jesus and the Father, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the themes of glorification, sanctification, and unity. These elements are essential for a robust and effective prayer life, as modeled by Jesus Himself.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Lord's Prayer.
... Jesus never says, "Our Father," as he teaches us to pray, nor "My Father," which
would separate him from us, but ... (John 17:6). ... Now he prays for his disciples. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the lords prayer.htm

Ninteenth Lesson. I Go unto the Father!'
... closes it by the Parting Address preserved to us by John. ... prayer in our Saviour's
parting words thus teaches us two ... works that Jesus did, must pray in His Name ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/ninteenth lesson i go unto.htm

1 John ii. 1, 2
... send the Spirit in his name (John 14:26 ... mediator, the eternal Priest, offers to his
heavenly Father. ... History teaches us to estimate aright the deep significance ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john ii 1 2.htm

Forms of Prayer. --The Lord's Prayer; Its Occasion and Import. ...
... Lord, teach us how to pray, as John also taught ... prescribe a standing form of prayer
to his disciples, but to ... the ordinary relations of life, he teaches that if ...
/.../section 139 forms of prayer the.htm

Jesus Christ, the Divine Teacher of Prayer
... "And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and ... Jesus Christ
teaches the importance of prayer by His urgency to His disciples to pray. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/v jesus christ the divine.htm

John Chapter i. 34-51
... is the Master of His own law, and teaches it ... by means of a lamp, and therefore John
was sent ... was the Lord unwilling to place him among His disciples, because He ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate vii john chapter i.htm

John Chapter xvii. 14-19.
... John Chapter XVII. ... For those of whom He so speaks are, as I have said, His members;
and the head and body are one Christ, as the apostle teaches when he ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate cviii john chapter xvii.htm

Epistle xviii. To John, Bishop.
... children, it is the last hour (1 John 2:18 ... He deigned to exhibit in Himself what
He teaches us, saying ... would bring back the hearts of His disciples, still beset ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xviii to john bishop.htm

Introduction
... is made known to them the will of one who, when He teaches them the ... to Him when He
ceased "Lord, teach us to pray even as John also taught his disciples.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter one introduction.htm

Thirty-First Lesson. Pray Without Ceasing;'
... of His teaching (compare Matthew 7:8 and John 16:24 ... the taking us up into the fellowship
of His own prayer ... the Father"this it is by which Jesus really teaches. ...
/.../thirty-first lesson pray without ceasing.htm