As our Saviour approached His Father’s throne He, "…lifted up his eyes to heaven," raising them above the present circumstances in holy reverence, "and said, Father…." Our Saviour’s primary concern was not self-centered in this trying hour. What was the central theme of this prayer? "…the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: JOH 17:1.

See how blessedly our Saviour’s actions in His hour of greatest trial, still corresponds with His teachings. He not only commands prayer as a gospel precept, but He also directs our attention to what the central theme of our prayer must be, "whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son," JOH 14:13.

Our heavenly Father’s glory must be the central theme of our life if we are to receive what we ask of Him. See the blessed promise the Lord Jesus Christ uses to commend obedience to such a gospel precept. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." JOH 15:16.

Now to this precept and promise our Lord adds His own example. If Christ who is CO-EQUAL with the Father prayed so earnestly for His Father’s glory in the hour of trial, how much more must we obey His gospel precepts to obtain the gospel promises.

This principle comes through so clear from 1JO 3:22, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Our Lord knew that His own deliverance from death and the grave were sure. It was public knowledge that He had said, "After three days I will rise again," MAT 27:63. He also had a new right by the purchase through His perfect obedience unto death. Yet He would have this right confirmed by prayer.

This example is given for our learning; even if we are healthy, independently wealthy, and have full assurance of our salvation, yet we are commanded to acknowledge our dependency upon His grace as our Saviour taught in the perfect prayer. "Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Such a childlike humility beams with affection--holy reverence--and confidence in the parent-child relationship we have with our Heavenly Father under the most trying circumstances. See Christ’s example in this principle at MAT 26:39, "And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

All Christ’s prayers are based on this parental relationship with His Father as in JOH 17:5, "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was." Amen.