What the Prayers of Jesus And Studying Scripture Tell Us About Following the Heart of God
Following Jesus is not presented in the Gospels as a vague admiration of his teachings, but as an active, daily relationship marked by listening, trust, and obedience. Two of the most consistent ways Jesus points his followers into that relationship are through engagement with God’s word and a life of prayer. His own words make clear that reading scripture and praying are not optional extras; they are central to truly knowing and following him. Insights from my book, “What the Prayers of Jesus Tell Us About the Heart of God” (Abingdon 2015) deepen this understanding by showing how Jesus’s own prayer life reveals God’s desire for intimacy and transformation in those who follow him.
Jesus repeatedly emphasized the importance of God’s word as a source of life and truth. When he was tempted in the wilderness, he responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This statement reveals that spiritual nourishment is just as essential as physical food. To follow Jesus means to depend on God’s voice for direction, correction, and sustenance. Scripture is where that voice is consistently encountered. Without it, a person may claim to follow Christ but lack the foundation needed to understand who he is and what he calls them to do.
Jesus also challenged those who were familiar with scripture but failed to truly absorb it. In John 5:39–40, he said, “You search the Scriptures… and it is they that bear witness about me.” Here, Jesus affirms the value of scripture—it testifies about him—while also warning that merely reading it intellectually is not enough. The purpose of engaging scripture is to encounter Christ himself. I have echoed this idea when writing that Jesus’s prayers are not just moments of devotion but “a story and a set of lessons,” showing that spiritual practices are meant to shape our lives, not just inform our minds. True reading leads to relationship, not just knowledge.
In another moment, Jesus highlights how scripture anchors believers in truth: “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples… and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Abiding implies ongoing, consistent engagement. It is not a one-time reading but a continual dwelling in his teachings. ‘What the Prayers…’ reinforces this consistency by pointing out that Jesus prayed with clear purpose—that his followers would “be shaped by God’s wisdom and guidance” and live with spiritual consistency. Scripture becomes the means by which disciples remain grounded and continually formed.
Alongside scripture, prayer is equally essential in the life Jesus models and teaches. He did not merely instruct others to pray; he regularly withdrew to pray himself. Luke 5:16 notes that “he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” This demonstrates that prayer is not just a duty but a lifeline of connection with the Father. ‘What the Prayers…’ emphasizes that “Jesus doesn’t just pray… he uses prayer as an instructional,” showing that his prayers reveal how believers are meant to relate to God.
Jesus gave clear teaching on how and why to pray. In Matthew 6:6, he instructed, “When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.” This emphasizes sincerity over performance. Prayer is not about impressing others but about genuine communication with God, reflecting this intimacy when describing Jesus’s desire that believers “have a relationship with the Father” and experience closeness that mirrors his own relationship with God. Prayer is where that relationship becomes real and personal.
Jesus also reassured his followers of God’s responsiveness: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find” (Matthew 7:7). This invitation portrays prayer as active and persistent. It encourages believers to bring their needs, questions, and desires before God with confidence. ‘What the Prayers…’ highlights that in Jesus’s prayers we see his hopes that believers would not only seek God but also “bring glory to God” and live in unity and purpose. Prayer is therefore not just about receiving; it is about aligning with God’s heart.
Moreover, Jesus connects prayer directly to spiritual endurance. In Matthew 26:41, he tells his disciples, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Here, prayer is presented as protection. It sharpens awareness and strengthens resolve. Jesus prayed for his followers to have “consistency in our spiritual life,” reminding us that prayer sustains faith over time, not just in moments of crisis.
Importantly, scripture and prayer are not separate practices but deeply interconnected. Scripture informs prayer, giving language and direction to what we say to God. Prayer, in turn, opens the heart to understand and apply scripture. Jesus’s own life reflects this integration—he often quoted scripture in moments of prayerful dependence and decision-making. In the example of Jesus’s prayers, believers are invited into a relationship with God so intimate it becomes as natural as breathing—an ongoing, living connection rather than a distant obligation.
Ultimately, Jesus makes clear that following him is about relationship: “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me” (John 10:27). Hearing his voice happens through scripture, where his teachings are preserved, and through prayer, where communication becomes personal and ongoing. To neglect either is to weaken the connection that defines discipleship.
Reading scripture and praying are not burdensome requirements but invitations into deeper life with Christ. Through them, believers come to know his character, align with his will, and grow in trust. Jesus’s own words, alongside the insights drawn from his prayers, consistently point to these practices as essential pathways for anyone who truly desires to follow him.
For more information, see ‘What the Prayers of Jesus Tell Us About the Heart of God’ by Shane Stanford. (Abingdon Press 2015).
