OUR SAVIOUR'S RECORDED PRAYERS.
PRAYER FOR HIS DISCIPLES.
1. WHEN Jesus had finished his work of teaching, and of giving a spotless example to men, what prayer did he offer? "I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." John 17:4, 5. 2. For whom did he specially pray at this time? "I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." Verse 9. 3. What did he ask for them? "And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are." Verse 11. 4. What attendant blessings did he invoke for them? "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." "Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth." Verses 15, 17. 5. Who are included in this prayer? "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word." Verse 20. 6. What state of unity does he pray that they may all maintain? "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." Verse 21. 7. Why does he so earnestly desire this degree of oneness? "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." "I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me." Verses 21, 23. 8. Why does he pray that all his disciples may finally be with him in glory? "Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world." Verse 24. THE PRAYER IN THE GARDEN.
9. What prayer did Jesus make just before his betrayal? "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matt. 26:39. 10. Which of the disciples were nearest to him at this time? "And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy." Verse 37. 11. What did he say to them about his feelings? "Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me." Verse 38. 12. What did he ask them to do? Same verse. 13. What did he say to them when he returned from prayer and found them sleeping? "And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" Verse 40. 14. What admonition did he give them? "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Verse 41. 15. How many times did he make the same prayer, and find the disciples asleep at each return? 16. How great was the agony of his prayer? "And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:44. 17. How was he strengthened? "And there appeared an angel unto him from Heaven, strengthening him." Verse 43. 18. What command has this same Lord left us? "Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." Mark 13:35-37. 1. What passages teach that the prayers of the saints may aid the minister to speak with power, to gain a hearing, and make his work acceptable? Eph. 6:19, 20; Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1. 3. What part should Christians be sure not to forget while trying to secure proper ministerial labor? Matt. 9:38. 4. How are we exhorted to pray earnestly for all men, especially for those who are in authority? 1 Tim. 2:1, 2. 5. What special instruction did the Saviour give his disciples with reference to prayer? Matt. 6:5-7.