Christ’s Prayer and Thanksgiving

Excerpt from “The Family of Bethany” by Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1843) Based on John 11:1-46

His prayer was secret

We are not told any words that He prayed, but no doubt, during His groans and tears He was praying to His Father in secret. Even in the midst of the crowd Jesus was alone with His Father, praying for his own that their faith might not fail. The tears of Christ were not mere tears of feeling—they were also the tears of earnest prayer. His is no empty fellow feeling but real intercession. Christ teaches you to pray in sudden trials. Even when you cannot find any secret place, lift up your heart to Him in the midst of the crowd. Ah, brethren! A sincere soul is never at a loss for a praying place to meet with God. If you are a child of God, you will find some secret place to pray. It will not do to say that you will pray when walking or at your work or in the midst of company. It will not do to make that your praying time through the day. No, Satan is at your right hand. Spend as much time as you can alone with God every day; then, in sudden temptations and afflictions, you will be able to lift your heart easily to your Father’s ear even among the crowd.

His thanksgiving

“Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me. And I knew that Thou hearest Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”

• See what speed comes in Christ’s prayer: “Thou hearest Me always.” Every intercession that Christ makes is answered. If we know that Christ prays for us, then we know that we have what He desires.

• He thanks. So entirely is Christ one with His own that He gives thanks in our name. This should teach us not only to pray but also to give thanks.

• He does this aloud that all around might believe on Him as the One sent from God and the Saviour of the world. Yea, brethren, He records it here that ye may believe on Him. For this end is Christ set before you in the gospel as the sent of God, the compassionate Saviour, the Mediator, and Intercessor that we might believe on Him.

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