“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4, English Standard Version, esv).
This introduction by Luke to his account of the life of Jesus Christ is singularly unique. No other writer in the Bible begins with a declaration like this. What can we expect from Luke? A report, carefully researched and presented, on the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. This implies an editorial role on Luke’s part. He has sifted through the available information and has arranged it in order to give his reader a greater certainty with respect to what has been taught about Jesus.
What does this have to do with prayer? Simply this: Luke mentions prayer nearly twice as many times as any other gospel writer. In light of his introduction, I find this captivating.
Luke also does something else that no other gospel writer does. He records the prayers of people other than Jesus. In fact, the first four incidents of prayer in his gospel occur before Jesus can talk!
The very first scene described in Luke’s gospel is one of corporate prayer.
“Now it happened while he [Zacharias] was performing his priestly service before God… he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering” (Luke 1:8-10, esv).
Zacharias is performing a once-in-a-lifetime ministry. The offering of incense would be the high point of service for any priest. When the signal is given to him, he places the incense upon the altar. As the smoke rises, people and priests prostrate themselves in silence before God in prayer.
Thus begins Luke’s gospel. A multitude of the faithful in Israel is in prayer at the time of the incense offering. Many commentators believe that the prayers offered at this time were most likely for the redemption of Israel. After 400 years of silence on God’s part, they are about to be answered.
The manner in which this gospel begins gives us a clue that prayer figures greatly in the work of God and will also be prominent in the life of Jesus Christ. In the coming months we will examine the place and role of prayer as revealed in Luke’s gospel.
