Prayers of jesus in Biblical History

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Schaff's Bible Dictionary

Definitions in Biblical History
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What are the Prayers of Jesus?
THE PRAYERS OF JESUS
There are several prayers of Jesus recorded in the N.T.: the model prayer for his disciples. Matt 6:9, 2 Kgs 11:13; Luke 11:2-4; brief thanksgivings. Matt 11:25-26; John 6:11; John 11:41-42; the petition in Gethsemane, Matt 26:39; comp. the similar petition, John 17:1-2; and the exclamations on the cross, "Father, forgive them," "Eli, Eli," "Father, into thy hands." The Lord's Prayer, so called, is intended for his disciples, who need often to pray for the forgiveness of their sins. See Lord's Prayer. The most important prayer of our Lord is the one recorded by John. John 17. It is called the sacerdotal or high-priestly prayer because in it he intercedes for his people and enters upon his function as the High Priest in offering his own spotless life as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It is divided into three parts:first, he prays for himself, for his glorification, vs. 1-5; then for the preservation of his disciples, vs. 6-19; finally, for all believers of future times, for their unity and perfection in the kingdom of glory. The connecting idea of the three parts is the redeeming work of God as accomplished by Christ, carried on by the apostles, and to be completed in the kingdom of glory. "This sacerdotal prayer, spoken in the stillness of the night under the starry heavens, before the wondering disciples, in view of the approaching consummation of his work, for himself, his apostles, and his Church to the end of time, is peculiarly his own, the inspiration of his grand mission, and could be uttered only by Christ, and even by Christ only once in the world's history, as the atonement could occur but once; but its effect vibrates through all ages. It is not so much the petition of an inferior or dependent suppliant as the communion of an equal and a solemn declaration of his will concerning those whom he came to save. While praying to the Father, he teaches the apostles. He prays as the mighty Intercessor and Mediator, standing between earth and heaven, looking backward and forward, and comprehending all his present and future disciples in one holy and perfect fellowship with himself and the eternal Father. The words are as clear and calm as a mirror, but the sentiments are as deep and glowing as God's fathomless love to men, and all efforts to exhaust them are in vain." -Schaff.

Bibliography Information
Schaff, Philip, Dr. "Biblical Definition for 'prayers of jesus' in Schaffs Bible Dictionary".
bible-history.com - Schaff's

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