The Prayers of Yeshua

I heard someone once say, with understandable regret, that with only three exceptions, we have no record of Yeshua’s prayers.  In actual fact, this is not entirely true, as I’ll explain a little later in this article.  But first, let’s look at the three prayers that are recorded.

The first prayer is, of course, The Lord’s Prayer – recorded in Matthew 6:9 and Luke 11:2.  This is a fascinating prayer, because in this prayer, Yeshua seems to be making reference to a host of Scriptures found throughout the entire Tanak (the Old Testament).  Let’s take a look at some of them.

“Our Father, Who art in Heaven…”  The Fatherhood of God can be found in many places, such as Psalm 68:4-5; Psalm 89:24; and Isaiah 9:6.  That God dwells in Heaven is abundant throughout Scripture, such as Genesis 24:7; Joshua 2:11; 2 Chronicles 6:14; and Psalm 136:26.

“Hollowed be Thy Name…”  The Tanak is replete with references that the Name of God is Holy and to be treated with reverence and sanctity.  Examples such as Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 22:32; Psalm 103:1; Ezekiel 39:7 can be found throughout Scripture.  To this day, an observant Jewish person will neither pronounce the Name of God, nor even write it.  To the Jewish person God is referred to most commonly as Adonai (Lord) or HaShem (The Name), and when writing His Name, the vowel is left out rendering the written form as L-rd or G-d.

“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven…”  The Kingship of God and the endurance and domain of His Kingdom is also a major reoccurring theme throughout the Old Testament (Tanak) Scriptures.  Yeshua was undoubtedly referencing such passages as Psalm 22:28; Psalm 103:19; and Daniel 7:18, to name only three.

“Give us this day our daily bread…”  The uncompromised belief that all of humanity’s material blessings are gifts from God is a central foundation of the Jewish faith.  Here Yeshua underscores the fact that the Father is the Source of everything we have, from the provision of “manna in the wilderness” (Exodus 16:15-33) to the ongoing recognition that God is the giver of all things (Deuteronomy 8:18; Isaiah 42:5; and Job 33:4).

“And forgive us our sins, as we forgive everyone who sins against us…”  Yeshua here emphasizes the Biblical Principle of Reciprocity which is stated in Malachi 3:10 and Proverbs 3:9-10, and which He Himself expands in Luke 6:37 and Matthew 7:1.

“Do not lead us into temptation…”  Here Yeshua may be referencing Psalm 5:4 which states that “Thou art a God that has no pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with Thee.”  And the Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostle James puts it even more forcefully when he writes, “…God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does He tempt anyone.”  (James 1:13)

“But deliver us from the Evil One…” And finally, Yeshua quotes Psalm 140:1, “Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil one; preserve me from the violent one.”

The second of Yeshua’s prayers that have been preserved for us is found in John’s gospel, chapter 17.  In this passage of Scripture Yeshua is praying that God will glorify Him through the work that He has accomplished, and also through the work yet to be accomplished by His followers.  He then asks the Father to preserve and protect His followers in the world.  He asks that the glory He shares with the Father will likewise be shared with us, who believe in Him.  Finally He prays that the love that exists between Himself and the Father will be manifest within us, His Church, as we walk with Him in unity with each other.  It’s a powerful and humbling prayer!

The third prayer is Yeshua’s supplication in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion.  Gethsemane is Hebrew for olive oil press, and that night in the garden, Yeshua’s very spirit and soul were being pressed to the maximum.  “Father, if it be Thy will, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done.”  (Luke 22:40).

But are these the only prayers of Yeshua that we know about?  Actually, the answer is “No”.  I believe that there are at least five or six other prayers that we can know conclusively were prayed by Yeshua.  Moreover, in these additional prayers that are mentioned, we can confidently know their exact words!  Where are these prayers and what did Yeshua say?

In Matthew’s gospel, the apostle wrote about several additional events in which Yeshua prayed.  In chapter fifteen he writes, “And He [Yeshua] took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks…”  (Matthew 15:36).  Likewise, in chapter 26 Matthew records this event at the Last Supper Passover meal, “And as they were eating Yeshua took bread and blessed it…” (Matthew 26:26).  In both of these instances we can know exactly what Yeshua said, even though His words are not recorded.  Indeed, every Jewish person reading Matthew’s account during the first few centuries of the Church would have known what words He spoke.  This is because the blessing of the bread has been a standard Jewish prayer from time immemorial.  Visualize those moments with me.  Yeshua would have covered His head with His tallit (prayer shawl), as was the custom in the first century and remains the Jewish custom today.  He then would have lifted the bread toward heaven and said aloud these words, “Baruk atah Adonai Eloheynu, melek haOlam, Ha’motzi lechem meen haEretz.”  (Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.)

In the first instance recorded above, when Yeshua gives thanks for the bread and the fish, Matthew’s record suggests that He gave thanks only once.  However, it’s more likely that Yeshua actually offered two prayers – one for the bread and a second blessing for the fish.  If, indeed, that is the case, then His second prayer would have been, “Baruk atah Adonai Eloheynu, melek haOlam, she-ha-kol ni-he-yah bid-va-ro.”  (Blessed are You O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who brings about all things by His Word.)

The Apostle Mark records another poignant event in which Yeshua prayed.  He writes, “And they brought young children to Him that He should touch them…and He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them.” (Mark 10:13-16).  To this day, as part of the Shabbat (Sabbath) ritual every Friday night, the Jewish father will lay his hands upon his sons and say, “Ye-sim-khah Elohim ki-ef-rayim v’ki-me-na-shah.”  (May God make you like Ephraim and Manassah.)  Likewise, he will lay his hands upon his daughters’ heads and say, “Ye-sim-khah Elohim ki-sarah v’riv-khah v’ra-khel v’le-ah.”  (May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.)  There is no question in my mind that Yeshua would have blessed the children with these very same blessings that are still said today.

Also, at the Last Supper Passover meal it is recorded “And He took the cup and gave thanks…”  (Matthew 26:27)  Here again, we know for certain Yeshua’s exact words -- “Baruk atah Adonai Eloheynu, melek haOlam,bo-ray pre-ha-gafin.” (Blessed are You O LORD our God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.)

And finally, we come to Yeshua’s last blessing upon His disciples before He ascended into Heaven.  The physician Luke records the event with these words, “When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany He [Yeshua] raised up His hands and blessed them.”  Once again, by this simple description, we can know Yeshua’s exact words and how He performed the blessing.  He blessed them with what is called today the “Aaronic Blessing”.  This blessing is also called “The Raising of the Hands” and is performed in a very specific way.  One’s head is covered with the tallit, as mentioned before.  The hands are raised so that the thumbs are touching; the index and middle finger are held together; and the ring finger and little finger are likewise held together, like this –

Yeshua raised His hands and said, “Y’varekh’kha Adonai v’yish-merekah.  Ya’er Adonai panav eleikha vich-u’nekka.  Yissa Adonai panav eleikha v’ya’sem l’kha shalom.”  (May the LORD bless you and keep you.  May the LORD make His face shine to upon you and be gracious unto you.  May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”)

Jewish tradition requires that we bless the LORD for each detail of our daily lives.  What a delight to know that in these Hebrew prayers, we are repeating the exact same words to the Father that Messiah Yeshua did so long ago.  In these Hebrew blessings we, like Yeshua, vocalize our gratitude to God for His daily provision and care.

Baruk HaShem (Blessed be The Name)

Bill Duerfeldt, North Carolina