Have you ever meditated on the prayer of Jesus? In particular, have you ever pondered how often Jesus prays in the Gospels? No one is more active than Jesus in the Gospels. At the same time, no one prays more than Jesus in the Gospels. Early in the morning, he rises to pray (Mk 1:35); after the work of the day, he dedicates himself to prayer (Mt 14:23). He prays in the midst of the crowds (Mk 6:41; Jn 11:41–43); he withdraws by himself to pray (Lk 5:16). 

Furthermore, Jesus prays at all the most important moments of his ministry. He is baptized by John in the Jordan, and we see him praying immediately afterwards (Lk 3:21–22). He prays before selecting the twelve apostles (Lk 6:12–13). When he is giving his body and blood during the Last Supper, he is praying (Mt 26:26–28). While he suffers, in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross, he prays (Mt 26:36, 42, 44; Lk 23:34).

What lessons can we draw from this for our own lives? The most important is that we are meant to pray, even in the midst of a busy life. Jesus is the Son of God, intimately united to his Father at every moment of his earthly sojourning. And yet, he prays. He spends time conversing with his Father in prayer. His active life does not prevent him from praying; on the contrary, his every activity is grounded in his prayer. In this life, we seek always to grow closer to God. One of the most important ways we do this is through prayer.

This does not at all discount the fact that, many times, praying can be challenging. It can be hard to find time to pray; it can be hard simply to pray. G. K. Chesterton pointed out that, “if a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly.” Respond to the desire in your heart to pray more (a desire that God has already placed there) and you will find yourself able to pray. The way to become better at praying is by praying. That sounds circular but it’s true. The best way to become better at anything is to start doing it and continue.

Pray in the ordinary and in the extraordinary moments of your life. Say quick prayers when you wake up and before going to sleep. Dedicate your day’s work to God in prayer. If you are undergoing a trial, bring it to God in trusting prayer. When you see God’s blessings in your life, bring them to him in grateful prayer.

Meditate on and pray with the Holy Scriptures; they’ll help you to know better the One to whom you’re praying. God speaks to us in the Scriptures and we speak to him in prayer. Pray the Rosary and unite your prayer to that of our Blessed Lady. She’ll help you to pray well. Above all, go to Mass and unite all the prayers of your heart to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross. In this way, you will most perfectly imitate—and be caught up in—the prayer of Jesus.

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Image: Heinrich Hofmann, Christ in Gethsemane