We read in 1 Peter 2:2121For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: (1 Peter 2:21), "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps." You will notice that it does not say we should follow in His steps, for that would be impossible for us, failing creatures that we are. He was the perfect Man, whose pathway was always in perfect accord with the will of God, His Father, and there was never a wrong step in that pathway. But if it is beyond us to follow exactly in His steps, there is His pathway for us to follow as closely as we can.
We get several scriptures in the Gospel by Luke which bring before us the Lord Jesus as a perfect, dependent Man here on earth in prayer, and it is this individual prayer that we are considering.
First, Luke 3:21, 2221Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. (Luke 3:21‑22): "Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him." Here the Lord had just identified Himself with the godly few of the Jews who acknowledged the need of repentance for the remission of sins, whether for themselves or the nation at large. Our Lord, of course, had no sins to confess, but, as a godly Jew, would identify Himself with these as being on the right ground. Then, as He prayed, there came this direct voice from heaven, "Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well pleased.”
We know that the Lord was the "only begotten Son," and none other can enter that place. He has, however, brought us into the position of sons before the Father, and it is true that as we are in dependence and prayer before God, so we enter more into the fullness of the place we have through His grace.
Next, in Luke 5:1616And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. (Luke 5:16), after the healing of the leper, we read, "He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed." We may take this as an example of prayer in connection with service. The service the Lord had just showed to the poor leper, and as a testimony to the people was, of course, perfect. But He did not leave it there; He went before God in prayer about it. Herein there is a voice for us; after any little service we are able to do for Him—often as feeble and weak as it is, do we go aside to ask His blessing upon it? All the blessing on it must come from Him.
Luke 6:1212And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12): "He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." This was before He chose His disciples. He well knew all of them, that so often they would fail to enter into His thoughts, and that of one of them (Judas Iscariot) He would later say, "Have I not chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?" Who can tell what it cost the holy soul of the Lord Jesus to be in association with that man during His public ministry here, well knowing what would be the end of His path. So all night He was in prayer with His Father, before choosing those with whom He would be associated. The lesson for us in this is prayer in connection with our associates. The Christian is not left here to be alone; Acts speaks of "their own company" and one is happy to find those with whom one can walk here as with the Lord, and before Him. Hence, the need for our being in communion with the Father as to those with whom we are associated.
Luke 9:2929And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. (Luke 9:29): "And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering." This is the well-known incident of our Lord's transfiguration; it is recorded in three of the gospels, but it is only in Luke that we are told it was “as He prayed." We know, of course, that the Lord is seen here in His own glory, but the day is coming when we "shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." But it is true of us, even here and now, that if we want to be more like Him here, we must be in prayer and dependence upon God day by day. The more we are in secret with the Father, the more we shall be like Christ, and have power to represent Him here. "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. 12:22And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2).
Luke 11:11And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1): "One of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, teach us to pray." This also was "As He was praying in a certain place." It may have been that seeing the Lord engaged in prayer touched their consciences, and awakened a desire in them also to pray—hence their request. And so the Lord gave them a prayer perfectly suited to their condition then. It is commonly called, "The Lord's Prayer," but it could not manifestly be the expression of the Lord's own heart, nor is it in accord with the full Christian position; for example it is not "in the Lord's name" as brought out in John 16:23, 2423And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23‑24): "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name." But what does it mean to ask "in His name"? It does not mean as some think, just adding the name of the Lord Jesus to the end of our prayers. He is absent from the world now, and we are His representatives. The Father looks to receive from us prayers that are in accordance with the mind of Jesus. It is asking for what He would ask for, and if this is true of our petitions, they will be such as the Father will delight to grant. One sometimes hears all sorts of petitions and requests made that are not of this character, and then the Lord's name is added as if to give them weight. This is a very solemn thing, and not at all what is meant by asking "in His name." (See Phil. 4:6, 76Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6‑7).)
Notice that while our Lord taught His disciples to pray, and urged them to it, He did not ask them to pray for Him, nor does He pray with them.
Luke 18:11And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1): "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." But, you say, how is it possible for us to be always in prayer? It is, of course, impossible for us to be always in the outward attitude of prayer, but it has been likened to the way our bodies are sustained by receiving fresh air from the outside. This vivifies and oxygenates our lungs, and is necessary for us to live. So as to our spiritual life, we should be in the atmosphere of constant dependence on God, our thoughts turning to Him habitually throughout the day. If trial or difficulty comes our way, then we can just lift our hearts to Him we may do some spiritual "deep breathing." And so our hearts will be sustained, the despondency passes away, and our strength is renewed. The Lord was always thus; He prayed always; He never fainted.
Luke 22:4141And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, (Luke 22:41): "He... kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if Thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless, not My will, but Thine, be done." What the Lord had before Him there was the cross, into which none other but Himself could ever enter. The lesson we may learn from this is that it is very important for us to come in the history of our soul to this point—"not my will but Thine be done." Unless we do come to this surrender of our will to His, we have not fully learned our lesson, and there will not be the entire peace of mind that He would have us enjoy.
So we have traced the blessed Master in these connections in prayer. We need to own that our own failures, and indeed the broken state outwardly of the Church of God upon earth, must be traced in large measure to the sad lack in our own souls and among His people of this spirit of prayer. May we learn this lesson, and try more and more to "follow His steps.”
F. Lavington