But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.

Prayer

“When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward.

When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can’t be seen. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.

When you pray, do not keep talking on and on. That is what ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot.

“This is how you should pray. “ ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.

After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.

Little Children Are Brought to Jesus

Some people brought little children to Jesus. They wanted him to place his hands on the children and pray for them. But the disciples told them not to do it.

He said to them, “It is written that the Lord said, ‘My house will be called a house where people can pray.’ (Isaiah 56:7) But you are making it ‘a den for robbers.’ ” (Jeremiah 7:11)

If you believe, you will receive what you ask for when you pray.”

Pray that you will not have to escape in winter or on the Sabbath day.

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”

He went a little farther. Then he fell with his face to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But let what you want be done, not what I want.”

“Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Jesus went away a second time. He prayed, “My Father, is it possible for this cup to be taken away? But if I must drink it, may what you want be done.”

So he left them and went away once more. For the third time he prayed the same thing.