Imitation of Christ's Prayerful Life and Devotion
The concept of imitating Christ's prayerful life and devotion is rooted in biblical exhortations and exemplified by Jesus's own practices. The Apostle Paul directly instructs believers to "Be imitators of me, as I also of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1 LITV) [2]. This call to imitation extends to various aspects of Christian living, including prayer, self-denial, and diligence.
Jesus provided a model for prayer, notably through what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [5]. This prayer serves as a succinct expression of faith and a model of simplicity, contrasting with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" [6]. While the Lord's Prayer does not explicitly mention the atonement or the Holy Spirit, it is considered a foundational type for Christian prayer, with its spirit also guided by Jesus's prayers in Gethsemane and John 17 [5]. Jesus frequently addressed God as Father, a practice less common in Jewish prayer of the time [6]. The instruction to "pray like this" (Matthew 6:9) indicates it is a pattern for disciples to follow [6, 9].
Beyond specific prayers, Jesus demonstrated a life characterized by devotion and diligence. He set an example of early rising for devotion (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) [1]. This practice of seeking God early is also noted in the Old Testament, with figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David rising early for various purposes, including devotion and executing God's commands [1]. Diligence, as exemplified by Christ (Mark 1:35; Luke 2:49), is required in seeking God, obeying Him, striving for perfection, and cultivating Christian graces [4].
Self-denial is another key aspect of Christ's example that believers are called to imitate. Jesus demonstrated self-denial in resisting temptation (Matthew 4:8-10), having no permanent home (Matthew 8:20), and submitting to the Father's will (John 6:38) [3]. Paul also points to Christ's humility and self-emptying in Philippians 2:6-8 as an example [3]. Self-denial is presented as a test of devotion to Christ and necessary for following Him, particularly in denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires (Luke 9:23-24; Titus 2:12; 1 Peter 2:11) [3]. Ministers, in particular, are called to exercise self-denial (2 Corinthians 6:4-5) [3].
The imitation of Christ is not merely about individual actions but also about reflecting God's character. As Matthew Henry notes on Ephesians 5:1, "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him" [10]. This implies conforming to God's revealed character, particularly in showing mutual love and Christian charity [10]. The call to imitate Christ is a call to a life of active faith, marked by prayer, self-discipline, and diligent pursuit of God's will. Paul's instruction to "mark" those who walk as he does, having him as an "ensample," further emphasizes the importance of following Christ-like examples (Philippians 3:17) [8]. The "Lord of peace," Jesus Christ, is also invoked in prayers for peace within the Christian community, highlighting His role in fostering harmony (2 Thessalonians 3:16) [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:1 (LITV) — Be imitators of me, as I also of Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lord's Prayer — The name given to the only form of prayer Christ taught his disciples (Matt. 6:9-13). The closing doxology of the prayer is omitted by Luke (11:2-4), also in the R.V. of Matt. 6:13. This prayer contains no allusion to the atonement of Christ, nor to the offices of the Holy Spirit. "All Christian prayer is based on the Lord's Prayer, but its spirit is also guided by that of His prayer in Gethsemane and of the prayer recorded John 17. The Lord's Prayer is the comprehensive type of the simplest and most universal prayer."”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:17: followers--Greek, "imitators together." of me--as I am an imitator of Christ (Co1 11:1): Imitate me no farther than as I imitate Christ. Or as BENGEL "My fellow imitators of God" or "Christ"; "imitators of Christ together with me" (see on Phi 2:22; Eph 5:1). mark--for imitation. which walk so as ye have us for an ensample--In English Version of the former clause, the translation of this clause is, "those who are walking so as ye have an example in us." But in BENGEL'S translation, "inasmuch as," or "since," instead of "as."”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 11:2: 11:2-4 This is how you should pray: The “Lord’s Prayer” was a model for Jesus’ disciples to follow.”
- Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:1: Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must conform themsel”