Studying Jesus’ Prayers has been one of the joys of my life. Not only did the study lead to four related books, but it helped me immensely in my own praying. In particular, His prayer life showed me how to pray about things that can’t be changed which I write about in Not My Will. If you would like to make a personal study of His prayer life, here’s a list of His prayers in order of their occurrence. The order is based on A. T. Robertson’s A Harmony of the Gospels for Students of the Life of Christ. I hope the study will benefit you as much as it did me.
Jesus’ Prayers in Order of Occurrence
Jesus prayed at His baptism, Luke 3:21-23, Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11.
He withdrew to pray when the crowds in Capernaum wanted Jesus to stay with them, Mark 1:35-39 and Luke 4:42-43.
He withdrew to pray after the healing the leper, Luke 5:12-16, Mark 1:40-45, Matthew 8:2-4.
Jesus prayed before choosing the Twelve apostles, Luke 6:12-16 and Mark 3:13-19.
Jesus gave a prayer of thanks after working with people who rejected His miracles, Matthew 11:25-26.
He gave thanks before the feeding of the 5000, Mark 6:39-44, Matthew 14:17-21, Luke 9:13b-17, and John 6:8-13.
He withdrew for prayer following the feeding of the 5000, Mark 6:45-46, Matthew 14:22-23, and John 6:14-15.
He gave thanks before the feeding of the 4000, Mark 8:1-9, Matthew 15:32-38.
Jesus prayed before questioning the apostles about His identity, Luke 9:18-21, Matthew 16:13-20, and Mark 8:27-30.
He prayed before His transfiguration, Luke 9:28-36, Matthew 17:1-8, and Mark 9:2-8.
Jesus expressed joy and thanksgiving after the return of the 70, Luke 10:17-21.
He prayed before His disciples asked to be taught to pray, Luke 11:1.
He gave thanks at Lazarus’ grave, John 11:36-44.
Jesus blessed the little children, Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17.
Jesus prayed when His heart was troubled, John 12:20-36.
He prayed for Peter, Luke 22:31-34.
He prayed at the institution of the Lord’s Supper, Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.
He prayed for Himself and His disciples after the Last Supper and before He was arrested. This is often referred to as Jesus’ high priestly prayer, John 17. This is the longest of Jesus’ recorded prayers.
Jesus prayed for an escape in the Garden of Gethsemane, Luke 22:39-46, Mark 14:32-42, and Matthew 26:36-46.
From the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:33-34).
From the cross, He prayed, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” See Matthew 27:45-46 and Mark 15:33-34.
From the cross, He prayed, “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit (see Luke 23:46 and John 19:30).
The resurrected Jesus blessed the bread when eating with the disciples from Emmaus, Luke 24:30-32
He gave a parting blessing at His ascension, Luke 24:50-51.
