The time came for this to be done. All who had gathered to worship were praying outside.

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah. Your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will have a child. It will be a boy, and you must call him John.

Then she was a widow until she was 84. She never left the temple. She worshiped night and day, praying and going without food.

The Baptism and Family Line of Jesus

When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened.

But Jesus often went away to be by himself and pray.

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting

Some of the people who were there said to Jesus, “John’s disciples often pray and go without eating. So do the disciples of the Pharisees. But yours go on eating and drinking.”

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

On one of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray. He spent the night praying to God.

Bless those who call down curses on you. And pray for those who treat you badly.

Peter Says That Jesus Is the Messiah

One day Jesus was praying alone. Only his disciples were with him. He asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

Jesus’ Appearance Is Changed

About eight days after Jesus said this, he went up on a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him.

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed. His clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples spoke to him. “Lord,” he said, “teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus said to them, “When you pray, this is what you should say. “ ‘Father, may your name be honored. May your kingdom come.

The Story of the Widow Who Would Not Give Up

Jesus told his disciples a story. He wanted to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

He said to them, “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee. The other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed. ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people,’ he said. ‘I am not like robbers or those who do other evil things. I am not like those who commit adultery. I am not even like this tax collector.

“But the tax collector stood farther away than the Pharisee. He would not even look up to heaven. He brought his hand to his heart and prayed. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner.’

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

They take over the houses of widows. They say long prayers to show off. God will punish these men very much.”

Always keep watching. Pray that you will be able to escape all that is about to happen. Also, pray that you will not be judged guilty when the Son of Man comes.”

But I have prayed for you, Simon. I have prayed that your faith will not fail. When you have turned back, help your brothers to be strong.”

Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives

Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives. His disciples followed him.

When they reached the place, Jesus spoke. “Pray that you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted,” he said to them.

Then he went a short distance away from them. There he got down on his knees and prayed.

Because he was very sad and troubled, he prayed even harder. His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.