Why Did Jesus Pray If He Was God?

Confident Faith
Jun 27
5 min read

The question of why Jesus prayed if He was God is one that has intrigued theologians and believers for centuries. To understand this, it is essential to delve into the dual nature of Jesus Christ, the purpose of His prayers, and the relationship between God the Father and God the Son as depicted in the Bible. Through these elements, we can gain a clearer perspective on the significance of Jesus’ prayers during His earthly ministry.

The Dual Nature of Christ

One of the foundational doctrines of Christianity is the belief in the dual nature of Christ, also known as the Hypostatic Union. This doctrine asserts that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, describes Jesus’ incarnation as a moment when He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7, ESV). This passage highlights that while Jesus retained His divine nature, He also embraced the fullness of humanity.

In His human nature, Jesus experienced all the limitations and needs that are common to mankind, including hunger, fatigue, and the need for communion with God. Hebrews 4:15 tells us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (ESV). As a man, Jesus’ prayers were a reflection of His genuine human experience, allowing Him to be a perfect mediator between God and humanity.

Jesus’ Relationship with the Father

Understanding why Jesus prayed also requires us to consider God’s triune nature and the intimate relationship between God the Father and God the Son. The Gospel of John repeatedly emphasises this unique relationship. In John 10:30, Jesus declares, “I and the Father are one” (ESV), affirming His unity with the Father. Yet, in His earthly ministry, Jesus often prayed to the Father, demonstrating both His dependence on God as a man and His ongoing communion with God the Father as God the Son.

One of the most profound examples of this relationship is found in John 17, known as the High Priestly Prayer. Here, Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers, saying, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1, ESV). This prayer reveals the mutual glorification between the Father and the Son and highlights Jesus’ submission to the Father’s will—a theme that is recurrent in His prayers.

The Purpose of Jesus’ Prayers

Jesus’ prayers served multiple purposes throughout His ministry. First, they were a model for His disciples and for believers today. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He provided them with what is now known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). This prayer is not only a template for our prayers but also reflects Jesus’ own prayer life, marked by a deep reliance on the Father, a desire for God’s will to be done, and a focus on spiritual and physical needs.

Secondly, Jesus’ prayers were an expression of His human emotions and struggles. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ prayer is one of the most poignant in the Gospels. Knowing the suffering that awaited Him, He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39, ESV). This prayer reveals the depth of Jesus’ anguish as well as His ultimate submission to the Father’s plan. It shows that even in His humanity, Jesus sought to align His will with the Father’s, providing an example of perfect obedience and trust.

Moreover, Jesus’ prayers were acts of intercession. As the mediator between God and humanity, Jesus prayed on behalf of others. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (ESV). This intercessory prayer highlights Jesus’ role as the one who stands in the gap for His followers, ensuring their spiritual protection and perseverance.

Jesus as Our High Priest

The Epistle to the Hebrews offers another perspective on why Jesus prayed, by presenting Him as our great High Priest. Hebrews 5:7-9 states, “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” (ESV).

This passage underscores the significance of Jesus’ prayers as part of His priestly ministry. As the High Priest, Jesus’ prayers were not just for Himself but for the salvation of humanity. His prayers were a crucial aspect of His redemptive work, demonstrating His empathy with human suffering and His role in securing eternal salvation for those who believe.

The Mystery of the Trinity

Finally, to fully grasp why Jesus prayed if He was God, we must consider the mystery of the Trinity. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity teaches that God exists as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—who are co-equal and co-eternal, yet distinct in their persons. The prayers of Jesus, therefore, reflect the inner workings of the Trinity. While Jesus is fully God, His prayers to the Father reveal the distinct personhood within the Godhead and the perfect unity and harmony that exists among the three persons.

This understanding of the Trinity helps to resolve the apparent paradox of Jesus praying to God. Jesus, in His divine nature, is one with the Father, but in His human nature, He communicates with the Father, modelling for us the relationship we too are invited to have with God.

Conclusion

The question of why Jesus prayed if He was God leads us to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Christ’s dual nature, His relationship with the Father, and the purpose of His prayers. Jesus prayed because He was fully human and needed to model a life of dependence on God for His followers. His prayers also revealed His deep communion with the Father, His submission to the Father’s will, and His role as our intercessor and High Priest.

In the end, Jesus’ prayer life teaches us about the importance of prayer in our own lives. It invites us to engage with God in a personal and intimate way, seeking His will and relying on His strength. If Jesus, the Son of God, found it necessary to pray, how much more should we, in our human frailty, seek the Father’s presence in prayer?

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