🕊 1. Baptism and Anointing – Beginning of Ministry

Turning Point: Jesus is baptized by John, and the Holy Spirit descends on Him.
Scripture: Matthew 3:13–17; Luke 3:21–22
Prayer:

  • Luke 3:21 notes that Jesus was praying when the heavens opened.
  • This is the first recorded prayer of Jesus in His adult ministry.
  • It shows His posture of humility and dependence as He enters into His public mission.

🧠 Key Insight: Even before performing miracles or preaching, Jesus begins with prayer and submission.

🏜 2. Wilderness Fasting – Testing and Identity

Turning Point: Led by the Spirit to be tested by Satan for 40 days.
Scripture: Matthew 4:1–11; Luke 4:1–13
Prayer:

  • Though not directly mentioned, Jesus fasted for 40 days (Matt. 4:2), which in Jewish tradition would include deep prayer and communion with God.
  • His responses to Satan were Scripture-saturated, implying deep meditation and alignment with the Father.

🧠 Key Insight: In temptation, Jesus didn’t rely on supernatural power but on prayerful obedience and God’s Word.

🌄 3. Calling the Twelve Disciples – Forming the Kingdom Community

Turning Point: Jesus chooses His apostles.
Scripture: Luke 6:12–16
Prayer:

  • “He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)
  • This happens before selecting the twelve.
  • Shows the seriousness with which Jesus seeks the Father’s will.

🧠 Key Insight: Jesus discerned the future leaders of the Church through extended prayer.

✨ 4. Feeding the 5,000 / Public Messianic Revelation

Turning Point: A turning point in public popularity, the crowd wants to make Him king.
Scripture: John 6:1–15; Matthew 14:13–23
Prayer:

  • After feeding the crowd, Jesus withdrew to the mountain by Himself to pray (Matt. 14:23; John 6:15).
  • Likely to resist the temptation of political kingship and remain focused on the suffering Messiah path.

🧠 Key Insight: In times of success and pressure, Jesus retreats to prayer to stay aligned with the Father’s plan.

✝️ 5. Prediction of the Cross / Transfiguration – Clarifying the Path

Turning Point: Jesus begins telling His disciples He must suffer.
Scripture: Matthew 16:21–17:9; Luke 9:28–36
Prayer:

  • Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on the mountain to pray (Luke 9:28).
  • During prayer, He is transfigured, and the Father speaks again.
  • Moses and Elijah appear, discussing His “exodus” (departure/cross).

🧠 Key Insight: As Jesus approaches the cross, He receives divine confirmation and glory through prayer.

🪞 6. Raising of Lazarus – Climactic Sign Before the Passion

Turning Point: This miracle precipitates the plot to kill Him (John 11:45–53).
Scripture: John 11
Prayer:

  • Jesus publicly prays before raising Lazarus: “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me…” (John 11:41–42)
  • His prayer demonstrates trust and shows that miracles are grounded in relationship, not spectacle.

🧠 Key Insight: His prayer is a window into the ongoing communion with the Father, even in dramatic moments.

🍞 7. The Last Supper / High Priestly Prayer – Farewell and Intercession

Turning Point: Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure.
Scripture: John 13–17
Prayer:

  • The High Priestly Prayer (John 17) is Jesus’ longest recorded prayer.
    • Prays for Himself (glorification through the cross)
    • Prays for the disciples (protection, sanctification)
    • Prays for future believers (unity, love, glory)

🧠 Key Insight: Before His passion, Jesus prays not just for strength, but for the Church across time.

🌌 8. Gethsemane – Submission and Sorrow

Turning Point: Jesus wrestles with the coming suffering.
Scripture: Matthew 26:36–46; Luke 22:39–46
Prayer:

  • “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.”
  • Luke records that He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood.
  • An angel strengthens Him.

🧠 Key Insight: The deepest prayer of surrender and obedient trust, even in agony.

✝️ 9. On the Cross – Prayer in Suffering

Turning Point: The culmination of His mission.
Scripture: Luke 23, Matthew 27, John 19
Prayers:

  1. Forgiveness: “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34)
  2. Communion: “My God, My God…” (Psalm 22; Matt. 27:46)
  3. Trust: “Into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46)

🧠 Key Insight: Even in His final breaths, Jesus prays — quoting Scripture, interceding, and surrendering.

🌅 10. Resurrection Appearances & Commissioning – Passing the Mission On

Turning Point: Jesus rises and commissions His disciples.
Scripture: Matthew 28, Luke 24, John 20–21, Acts 1
Prayer:

  • While not always recorded praying aloud, His blessing over the disciples and the breathing of the Spirit (John 20:22) reflect priestly intercession.
  • In Acts 1, the disciples return to prayer as Jesus ascends, likely following His model.

🧠 Key Insight: His risen presence continues the prayerful rhythm, now passed to His people.