Hebrews 5:7 - How Jesus Prayed.

Hebrews 5:7 - How Jesus Prayed.

Hebrews 5:7 (NIV) During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he 
offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one 
who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his 
reverent submission.  

Jesus had to prepare for His priestly ministry by experiencing 
the trials His people experience as they walk by faith (4:15). 
Because of the life that He lived and the death that He died, He is able 
to identify with your needs and give you grace to see you through. 
He understands! [Chapter by Chapter Bible Commentary by Warren 
Wiersbe re vv. 7-10] 

High priests had to be human (and thus able to sympathize with 
those they represented), and they had to be called by God. Christ 
fulfilled both of these requirements (4:15; 5:5-6). Jesus' humanity 
allowed him to sympathize with us. His humanity, the time when he lived 
on this earth in a human body, is described as "in the days of his 
flesh." During these days, Jesus agonized as he prepared to face death 
(Luke 22:41-44). Although Jesus cried out to God, asking to be 
delivered, he was prepared to suffer humiliation, separation from his 
Father, and death in order to do God's will. He offered up prayers and 
supplications, with loud cries and tears. Jesus did not seek his own 
glorification; rather, he wanted to bring glory to God. He knew he had been 
sent to die, but in his humanity, he faced great fear and sorrow over 
what he knew would happen. He prayed to God, the one who was able to 
save him from death. Only God could change the plan. In the garden, 
Jesus prayed, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; 
nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done" (Luke 22:42 nkjv). In his 
humanity, he did not want to die, but he submitted himself to the Father's 
will and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Did God 
hear Jesus? Yes. Did God change the plan? No. Jesus suffered extreme 
agony and death in submission to God. But his prayer was answered in 
that he was saved from the power of death. He overcame death through 
his resurrection..... Jesus is our model for true submission to God. 
To resist or to submit is a choice made hundreds of times each 
week. Through practice we build resistance to advertising messages, 
and through moral training we learn to resist overt sin. In response 
to God, resistance is always wrong and submission is always right. 
Our problem is to determine when the word of God is clear and when a 
human voice has subverted it. We may need to resist a minister's 
message if he twists the word of God or misrepresents it. A "guilt trip" 
needs resistance when it is borne by a frail human psyche or the need 
to control others. We must follow Christ's example and submit to 
God. We must learn to hear only the word of God when there are so 
many other messages to distract us. [Life Application Commentary] 

  The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His earthly ministry, 
prayed much to His Father. He was frequently bowed all night in prayer. 
His spirit was often sorrowful as He felt the powers of the darkness 
of this world, and He left the busy city and the noisy throng, to 
seek a retired place to make His intercessions. The Mount of Olives 
was the favorite resort of the Son of God for His devotions. 
Frequently after the multitude had left Him for the retirement of the 
night, He rested not, though weary with the labors of the day. In the 
Gospel of John we read: "And every man went unto his own house. Jesus 
went unto the Mount of Olives." While the city was hushed in silence, 
and the disciples had returned to their homes to obtain refreshment 
in sleep, Jesus slept not. His divine pleadings were ascending to 
His Father from the Mount of Olives that His disciples might be kept 
from the evil influences which they would daily encounter in the 
world, and that His own soul might be strengthened and braced for the 
duties and trials of the coming day. All night, while His followers 
were sleeping, was their divine Teacher praying. The dew and frost of 
night fell upon His head bowed in prayer. His example is left for His 
followers. 
  The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in His mission, was often 
in earnest prayer. He did not always visit Olivet, for His 
disciples had learned His favorite retreat, and often followed Him. He 
chose the stillness of night, when there would be no interruption. 
Jesus could heal the sick and raise the dead. He was Himself a source 
of blessing and strength. He commanded even the tempests, and they 
obeyed Him. He was unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet He 
prayed, and that often with strong crying and tears. He prayed for His 
disciples and for Himself, thus identifying Himself with our needs, our 
weaknesses, and our failings, which are so common with humanity. He was a 
mighty petitioner, not possessing the passions of our human, fallen 
natures, but compassed with like infirmities, tempted in all points even 
as we are. Jesus endured agony which required help and support from 
His Father.   
  Christ is our example. Are the ministers of Christ tempted and 
fiercely buffeted by Satan? so also was He who knew no sin. He turned to 
His Father in these hours of distress. He came to earth that He 
might provide a way whereby we could find grace and strength to help 
in every time of need, by following His example in frequent, 
earnest prayer. If the ministers of Christ will imitate this pattern, 
they will be imbued with His spirit, and angels will minister unto 
them.  {2T508-9}   

  The life of Jesus provides the model for our prayer lives. God 
is seeking to mold us into the image of His Son (Col 1:27-28). If 
we are to act like Christ, our prayer lives must be conformed to 
His. Many Christians are unwilling to pay the price that Jesus paid 
when it comes to interceding with God. Jesus' prayers came with 
vehement cries and tears and, "because of His godly fear," He was heard 
by the Father. 
  Why then, did the Father refuse His request? It was not due to 
any sin in Jesus' life, nor was it because the Father did not love 
His Son. The Father said no, despite the unfathomable love He had 
for His Son, because He knew He could not spare His Son and save a 
world. Likewise, the Lord cannot always spare you and your family and 
complete His redemptive work in those around you. 
  Are you willing for God to deny your pleadings? Will you 
intercede with the Father so deeply and intimately that even in the midst 
of your tears you are able to say, "Nevertheless, not my will but 
thine be done?" The Father will always relate to you out of the 
context of His love for a lost world. Has God said no to one of your 
requests recently? Accept His answer. Have you been learning obedience 
through what you have been suffering (Heb 5:8)? If you have, God may 
choose to make you a source of salvation to others even as He did with 
His Son. [Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby 
re Heb. 5:7] 

At times we will undergo trials, not because we want to suffer, 
but because we want to obey God. Let Jesus' obedience sustain and 
encourage you in times of trial. You will be able to face anything if you 
know that Jesus Christ is with you. [Life Application SB] 
 
Let no Christian think that his prayer is not heard. Every 
earnest prayer is heard, even though it be not answered favorably. No is 
as definite an answer as Yes; though often the answer is neither 
Yes or No, but Wait. Submission to the will of God is the great 
secret of effective prayer. [SDA Bible Commentary]