Christians have one ultimate role model: Christ  Obedience  Trust  Prayer

Significance of prayer cannot be overstated  Powerful, Jas. 5:16  Practical help, Phil. 4:6, 7  Pray always, Lk. 18:1

Start of day, Mk. 1:35-39  Long before daylight  Solitary place  Gives time & opportunity

End of day, Mt. 14:22, 23  After a long day, Mt. 14:13-15  Mountain top

Punctuate day with prayer  Set alarm clock 15 minutes earlier  Take 15 minutes before bed  Go to solitary place  List things to pray about o Thanksgiving o Issues facing you o Growth o Others

Jesus prayed alone, Lk. 9:18  Lack of interruption  Clarity of thought  Allows for personal issues

Jesus prayed around others, Jn. 17:1-18:1  To encourage, cf. Acts 4:23-31; 12:5, 12 o To faithfulness o To boldness o Comfort in times of stress

Jesus prayed around others, Jn. 17:1-18:1  To teach, Lk. 11:1-4; Jn. 11:41, 42 o How to pray o What to pray o A spiritual point

Jesus did not pray for show, Mt. 6:5-8  Not for personal attention  Not to be ashamed in public

After His baptism, Lk. 3:21  Spiritually significant occasion  Us: beginning of life in Christ

Before selecting disciples, Lk. 6:12-16  Major decision  Close companions

When facing troubles  Distant, Lk. 9:21-31  Immediate, Mt. 26:39-44