The first record we have of Jesus praying in in Luke’s gospel at 3:21. John baptized Jesus and then Luke simply says, “ While Jesus was praying, heaven was opened”. I find it of interest that instead of a treatise on prayer at this point, we are simply shown that our Lord simply spoke to his father, almost as if it were an aside, as normal as taking a breath.

Luke is also the one who shows us how Jesus prayed before choosing his apostles (Luke 6:12-13) and he prayed all night! What an example he is to us, that before making decisions in life we first talk to God about them.

Jesus deliberately chose special places and times to pray as Mark 1:29-35 shows us. At an early hour and away from everything else, Jesus prayed.

Jesus’ deliberacy in prayer shows us something of the profound importance our Lord placed on talking with his father.

Matthew (5:44) records that Jesus taught us to pray for those who mistreat us. Jesus’ approach to hate is so different from that of this world. He shows us the true path to peace; with others, but also with ourselves, is to ask God to be merciful.

Jesus prayed “off the cuff” whenever he wanted to give a word of praise and thanksgiving (see Matthew 11:25-26 on this). How many opportunities are there to do just that each day? It would be so easy to follow his example here if we simply keep our eyes open.

Any time we see food involved, Jesus teaches us to show God our gratitude as in Matthew 14:19. We aren’t even told what he said, just that he expressed thanks to his father for a “simple meal” of bread and fish.

Our Lord also prayed, trusting his father with the outcome. This is what he did in the garden when he said three times, “Not my will, but yours”, as he made his heart known (Matthew 26:36-46).