What Jesus Said About Prayer & Spiritual Habits (60 Teachings)

God alone is to be worshiped and served.

Read the Scripture Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8

King James Version

Matthew 4:10

¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 4:8

⁸And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

The Father sees what is done in secret and rewards sincere devotion.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:4, 6, 18

King James Version

Matthew 6:4, 6, 18

⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

The Father knows what people need before they ask.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:8

King James Version

Matthew 6:8

⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

God gives good gifts to those who ask him.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 11:9–13

King James Version

Matthew 7:7–11

⁷Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
⁹Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
¹⁰Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
¹¹If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:9–13

⁹And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
¹⁰For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
¹¹If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
¹²Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Father especially gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

Read the Scripture Luke 11:13

King James Version

Luke 11:13

¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

The Father seeks worshipers who worship in spirit and truth.

Read the Scripture John 4:23–24

King James Version

John 4:23–24

²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

God is spirit, so true worship is not confined to a sacred geography.

Read the Scripture John 4:21–24

King James Version

John 4:21–24

²¹Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
²²Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
²³But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
²⁴God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Jesus asks the Father to sanctify his people in truth.

Read the Scripture John 17:17–19

King James Version

John 17:17–19

¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
¹⁸As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
¹⁹And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

Jesus will do what disciples ask in his name so the Father may be glorified.

Read the Scripture John 14:13–14

King James Version

John 14:13–14

¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
¹⁴If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Love enemies and pray for persecutors.

Read the Scripture Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27–28, 35

King James Version

Matthew 5:44

⁴⁴But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Luke 6:27–28, 35

²⁷But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
²⁸Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
³⁵But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Charity should not be performed for applause.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:2–4

King James Version

Matthew 6:2–4

²Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
³But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
⁴That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Prayer should not be performed for public admiration.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:5–6

King James Version

Matthew 6:5–6

⁵And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
⁶But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Religious verbosity does not manipulate God.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:7–8

King James Version

Matthew 6:7–8

⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Fasting should not advertise spirituality.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:16–18

King James Version

Matthew 6:16–18

¹⁶Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
¹⁷But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
¹⁸That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Forgive others when praying.

Read the Scripture Mark 11:25; Matthew 6:14–15

King James Version

Mark 11:25

²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14–15

¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Address God as Father.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2

King James Version

Matthew 6:9

⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Luke 11:2

²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Pray for God's name to be hallowed.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2

King James Version

Matthew 6:9

⁹After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Luke 11:2

²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Pray for God's kingdom to come.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2

King James Version

Matthew 6:10

¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Luke 11:2

²And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Pray for God's will to be done.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:10

King James Version

Matthew 6:10

¹⁰Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Ask for daily bread and necessary provision.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3

King James Version

Matthew 6:11

¹¹Give us this day our daily bread.

Luke 11:3

³Give us day by day our daily bread.

Ask God to forgive sins or debts.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4

King James Version

Matthew 6:12

¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Luke 11:4

⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Forgive others as you seek forgiveness.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:12, 14–15; Luke 11:4

King James Version

Matthew 6:12, 14–15

¹²And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
¹⁴For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
¹⁵But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Luke 11:4

⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Pray not to be led into temptation and to be delivered from evil.

Read the Scripture Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4

King James Version

Matthew 6:13

¹³And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Luke 11:4

⁴And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Textual note: The closing words of Matthew 6:13 ("For thine is the kingdom…") are not found in the earliest manuscripts.

Ask, seek, and knock persistently.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 11:9–10

King James Version

Matthew 7:7–8

⁷Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
⁸For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luke 11:9–10

⁹And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
¹⁰For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Trust the Father's goodness in answering prayer.

Read the Scripture Matthew 7:9–11; Luke 11:11–13

King James Version

Matthew 7:9–11

⁹Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
¹⁰Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
¹¹If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Luke 11:11–13

¹¹If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
¹²Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
¹³If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Fasting has an appropriate place after the bridegroom is taken away.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:14–15; Mark 2:18–20; Luke 5:33–35

King James Version

Matthew 9:14–15

¹⁴Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
¹⁵And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Mark 2:18–20

¹⁸And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?
¹⁹And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.
²⁰But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Luke 5:33–35

³³And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
³⁴And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?
³⁵But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

Pray for the Lord of the harvest to send workers.

Read the Scripture Matthew 9:37–38; Luke 10:2

King James Version

Matthew 9:37–38

³⁷Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
³⁸Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Luke 10:2

²Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

Faith can trust God for what appears impossible.

Read the Scripture Matthew 17:20; 21:21–22; Mark 11:22–24; Luke 17:6

King James Version

Matthew 17:20

²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 21:21–22

²¹Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
²²And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:22–24

²²And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
²³For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
²⁴Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Luke 17:6

⁶And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Prayer offered in faith should expect God's action.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13–14; 15:7, 16

King James Version

Matthew 21:22

²²And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24

²⁴Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

John 14:13–14

¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
¹⁴If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7, 16

⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Pray persistently and do not lose heart.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

God is not reluctant like an unjust judge.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Pray humbly rather than advertising superiority.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:9–14

King James Version

Luke 18:9–14

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The tax collector's plea for mercy models repentant prayer.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:13–14

King James Version

Luke 18:13–14

¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Watch and pray so that you do not enter temptation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; Luke 22:40, 46

King James Version

Matthew 26:41

⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:38

³⁸Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 22:40, 46

⁴⁰And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
⁴⁶And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

The spirit may be willing while the flesh is weak.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38

King James Version

Matthew 26:41

⁴¹Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:38

³⁸Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Submit desire to the Father's will.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42

King James Version

Matthew 26:39, 42

³⁹And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
⁴²He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Mark 14:36

³⁶And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Luke 22:42

⁴²Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

After failure, return and strengthen fellow disciples.

Read the Scripture Luke 22:31–32

King James Version

Luke 22:31–32

³¹And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
³²But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Ask in Jesus' name.

Read the Scripture John 14:13–14; 15:16; 16:23–24, 26

King James Version

John 14:13–14

¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
¹⁴If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:16

¹⁶Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:23–24, 26

²³And 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.
²⁶At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Abiding in Jesus and letting his words abide in you shapes effective prayer.

Read the Scripture John 15:7

King James Version

John 15:7

⁷If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Answered prayer is ordered toward the Father's glory.

Read the Scripture John 14:13

King James Version

John 14:13

¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Ask so that your joy may be full.

Read the Scripture John 16:24

King James Version

John 16:24

²⁴Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Disciples can ask the Father directly in Jesus' name.

Read the Scripture John 16:23, 26–27

King James Version

John 16:23, 26–27

²³And 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.
²⁶At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:
²⁷For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

God's house should be a house of prayer, not commercial exploitation.

Read the Scripture Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46

King James Version

Matthew 21:12–13

¹²And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
¹³And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mark 11:15–17

¹⁵And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
¹⁶And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
¹⁷And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Luke 19:45–46

⁴⁵And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
⁴⁶Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Agreement in prayer within Jesus' gathered community receives special assurance.

Read the Scripture Matthew 18:19

King James Version

Matthew 18:19

¹⁹Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus exposes leaders who devour widows' houses while making long prayers.

Read the Scripture Mark 12:38–40; Luke 20:45–47

King James Version

Mark 12:38–40

³⁸And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,
³⁹And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:
⁴⁰Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

Luke 20:45–47

⁴⁵Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
⁴⁶Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
⁴⁷Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

The friend at midnight teaches bold persistence in asking.

Read the Scripture Luke 11:5–8

King James Version

Luke 11:5–8

⁵And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
⁶For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
⁷And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
⁸I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

The persistent widow teaches persistent prayer and confidence that God will bring justice.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:1–8

King James Version

Luke 18:1–8

¹And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
²Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
³And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
⁴And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
⁵Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
⁶And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
⁷And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
⁸I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The Pharisee and tax collector teach humble repentance over self-righteous contempt.

Read the Scripture Luke 18:9–14

King James Version

Luke 18:9–14

⁹And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
¹⁰Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
¹¹The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
¹²I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
¹³And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
¹⁴I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Some spiritual conflicts expose unbelief and the need for prayerful dependence.

Read the Scripture Matthew 17:14–20; Mark 9:14–29

King James Version

Matthew 17:14–20

¹⁴And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
¹⁵Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
¹⁶And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
¹⁷Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
¹⁸And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
¹⁹Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
²⁰And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mark 9:14–29

¹⁴And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
¹⁵And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
¹⁶And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
¹⁷And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
¹⁸And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
¹⁹He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
²⁰And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
²¹And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
²²And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
²³Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
²⁴And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
²⁵When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
²⁶And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
²⁷But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
²⁸And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
²⁹And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Pray for strength to stand before the Son of Man.

Read the Scripture Luke 21:36

King James Version

Luke 21:36

³⁶Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

The bread of the final meal signifies Jesus' body given for his disciples.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19

King James Version

Matthew 26:26

²⁶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Mark 14:22

²²And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

Luke 22:19

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Eat the bread in remembrance of Jesus.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:26; Luke 22:19

King James Version

Matthew 26:26

²⁶And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Luke 22:19

¹⁹And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

The cup signifies Jesus' blood of the covenant, poured out for many.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:27–28; Mark 14:23–24

King James Version

Matthew 26:27–28

²⁷And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
²⁸For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Mark 14:23–24

²³And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
²⁴And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

The cup is the new covenant in Jesus' blood.

Read the Scripture Luke 22:20

King James Version

Luke 22:20

²⁰Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Jesus asks the Father to forgive his executioners.

Read the Scripture Luke 23:34

King James Version

Luke 23:34

³⁴Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Textual note: The words "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" in Luke 23:34 are not found in some early manuscripts.

Believe when praying, and forgive.

Read the Scripture Mark 11:24–25

King James Version

Mark 11:24–25

²⁴Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
²⁵And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

In Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to stay and keep watch with him while he prayed.

Read the Scripture Matthew 26:36–38; Mark 14:32–34

King James Version

Matthew 26:36–38

³⁶Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
³⁷And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.
³⁸Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Mark 14:32–34

³²And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
³³And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
³⁴And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Jesus prays for those given to him and future believers through their word.

Read the Scripture John 17:9, 20

King James Version

John 17:9, 20

⁹I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
²⁰Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Jesus asks that disciples be kept in the Father's name and unified.

Read the Scripture John 17:11

King James Version

John 17:11

¹¹And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Jesus does not ask that his disciples be taken out of the world but that they be kept from the evil.

Read the Scripture John 17:15

King James Version

John 17:15

¹⁵I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

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