Our Father, Who Art in heaven

Jesus prayed. He healed the sick, fed the multitudes, forgave sinners, cast out demons, taught in the synagogues, made disciples and walked among us. Unarguably, before, during and after his miracles and his ministry to the poor, the sick and the lost, Jesus prayed. The Lord’s voice was an unceasing voice of prayer.

The Gospels record that for Jesus prayer and thanksgiving were inseparable. One can only imagine what the Lord said to His Father in those early mornings on the mountain, whether He wrestled and wept or spent His time in absolute glorious worship. But in His public life, Jesus continuously expressed gratitude for His heart was anchored in God, in Love.

Before He took care of people’s needs, Jesus thanked God. The feeding of the multitudes is described in all four Gospels as two different occasions: Matthew 14, Mark 8, Luke 9 and John 6. In both times, the Lord took a few loaves of bread and some fish, gave thanks and miraculously fed huge crowds.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. Luke 9:16

When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. Mark 8:6

Before He raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus thanked God, glorifying the One who had sent Him. He spoke and testified that those mourning Lazarus would believe Jesus was the Truth, Life and Way.

They took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. John 11:41

I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:42

Before Jesus went to cruelly to the cross to suffer and die, He spent His final hours celebrating the Passover with the disciples. At the Lord’s Supper, he shared bread and wine with them. He no longer multiplied bread and fish for thousands, but eternal life in Himself, for countless millions and billions. First Jesus prayed:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26.

An old hymn proclaims: “I heard the Voice of Jesus say..” Do you want to hear from God? Do you really want to hear the Voice of Jesus? Do you want to feed hungry souls, raise those who are dead and broken? Do you need strength in persecution and trial? We say yes, but foolishly grasp at the outcome before fulfilling the requirement. Jesus still speaks through the Holy Spirit inviting us to respond with heart -filled thanksgiving, honor and praise before undertaking any other ministry. Let gratitude testify to those who need to hear, whose eyes are still blind and who are chained in darkness.

Blessed are You, God our Father. Thank you that you hear us. Help us pray like Jesus. May gratitude be the cornerstone of every prayer!