In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 5:7–10, ESV
Jesus prayed for humanity constantly while He walked among us. Our salvation is important to Him. He not only did this for our sake but to model for us the life that we should lead. We are meant to be a people of prayer. We are meant to offer up prayers not only for those we like but also for those that are causing us pain and struggle. Not once did you hear Jesus pray a prayer against another person either. This is true for us. Truly a prayer for another that is meant to bring them harm is a curse. These are not meant to be uttered by a person who is a follower of Christ. The words we offer to God in prayer are meant to be uplifting, and they point to the salvation that God has given to us. It is out of obedience that we are called to prayer, and out of obedience that we are meant to live and act differently. This is also difficult because our pride often gets in our way. We don’t like to be obedient as people. We like to be in control. Obedience is humbling and can be viewed as a weakness. This is why our Lord gave us this to practice in the Ten Commandments, particularly in the commandment, “Honor your father and mother.” We are to act humbly with those in authority over us, which ultimately is God. If we can not humble ourselves in our treatment of others, how are we to humble ourselves before God? We may think this is a silly question, but how often do we question God and His motives? How often do we expect God to bend to our will? As we practice and see our Lord as the full authority in our lives, attitudes will change in us and in how others see us with Christ in the center of our lives.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.