[CYM] 10.0 Always Pray and Pray Like This

Yeshua taught His disciples not only to pray, but how to pray—with sincerity, humility, persistence, and trust. Prayer was central to His life and teaching.

In the book of Matthew, Yeshua gives the most detailed instruction on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount. He warns, and 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. (Matthew 6:5) and when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7). Instead, He teaches a model Prayer, offering a model of reverent, simple, kingdom-focused prayer. In Matthew 6:9–13 it says, after this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Yeshua also encourages persistent prayer, saying,

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If 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? (Matthew 7:7–11)

In the book of Luke, Yeshua emphasizes the need to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1), introducing the Parable of the Persistent Widow. He also shares the Model Prayer (Luke 11:2–4) and encourages boldness in prayer with the Parable of the Friend at Mid-night (Luke 11:5–13), affirming that the Father gives good gifts—especially the Holy Spirit—to those who ask.

The book of Mark contains fewer teachings on prayer, but Yeshua says, and when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses (Mark 11:25), linking prayer with forgiveness and inner purity. He also withdraws often to pray, modeling communion with the Father.

In the book of John, the model prayer of Yeshua is not recorded, but He teaches deep truths about prayer, especially in His intercessory prayer in John 17. He also says, and whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:13–14), promising that prayers aligned with His will carry power.

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua commands His followers to pray humbly, persistently, and faithfully—trusting in God’s presence and provision.