The popular series on the lives of Jesus and the disciples, The Chosen, features several instances where Jesus recites prayers. Episode 3 of season 1, entitled “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” gives some good examples of that practice. The blogger Hebrew Roots Mom shares some background information on these prayers.

At bedtime, Jesus prays the Bedtime Shema, based on Deuteronomy 6:7 (“talk of these things when you lie down and when you get up”): “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings sleep to my eyes, slumber to my eyelids. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my ancestors, that I lie down in peace and that I arise in peace. Let my sleep be undisturbed by troubling thoughts, bad dreams, and wicked schemes. May I have a night of tranquil slumber. May I awaken to the light of a new day, that my eyes may behold the splendor of Your light. Praised are You, Lord whose glory gives light to the entire world.”

Jesus quotes the Hamotzi blessing over the meals: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.” When the meal involves wine, this phrase (commonly called the Borei Pri Hagafen) is added: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”

Near the end of the episode, Jesus sings a song with the children based on Psalm 133:1: “Behold, how good and how pleasing (kids echo). If brothers could sit together in unity (kids echo).” This song is often sung on Sabbath and is known as Hinei Ma Tov (Behold How Good).

The intent of the script writers is to show how Jesus’ everyday life is immersed in His Hebrew heritage. The typical Jewish bedtime and meal rituals, rather than being meaningless traditions, offer rich cultural and spiritual lessons. Jesus’ prayers are infused with scriptural references, and the Psalms are essentially prayers in poetic or musical modes.

The Psalm prayers are rich with examples of praises and appeals, often showing the raw emotions of the deeply human experiences of the psalmists. Jesus exhibits the same range of prayer emotions. Jesus reflects the sentiment of several Psalms when addressing God in the Lord’s Prayer: “Holy is your name.” Psalm 22:1 was probably on Jesus’ mind while suffering on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

While we’ll never experience the same depths of God’s rejection that Jesus felt on the cross, we can usually find some expression in the Psalms that reflects our current situation. If we learn anything from the Psalm prayers, it’s that we can and should express our true feelings, no matter how raw, to God in prayer.

Sharing: Psalm 13 is a simple, yet profound prayer. How does this Psalm compare to your typical prayers?

1. This prayer begins with a sense of gloom but ends with optimism, and I usually do find reason for optimism once I actually begin praying about a disheartening situation
2. Since I’m a naturally optimistic person, I usually skip the despairing part and go right to praise
3. I wish I could be more positive, but I tend to focus more on life’s negatives in my petitions
4. This prayer is too short; I have to spend a lot of time detailing to God every situation I’m praying about
5. This prayer would be better if it was equally balanced between the lamentations and the praises
6. Other:

Applying: Take some time this week and choose a favorite Psalm to pray through. Examine how praying through the Psalm organizes your prayer into praises and requests. Could this exercise re-energize your prayer life?

~ Chuck Burkeen

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