Each time I read the Gospel of Luke, I am struck by the Lord’s example in prayer. This list is not exhaustive. It does not include, for example, Jesus’s emphasis on prayer in his parables.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
16 But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. Luke 5:16
12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. Luke 6:12
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” Luke 9:18
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. Luke 9:28-29
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1
39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Luke 22:39-46
See also Julian Kinkaid’s, The Theme of Prayer in Luke. I don’t know this author, but I appreciated his summary.
I’ve been reading in Luke for the past few weeks and have been trying to pay attention to this pattern as well. I wondered about the wording of v.18 where it says as he was praying alone, but the disciples were with him. Must be like the garden scene just before the crucifixion.