We know that Jesus often prayed, but there are a few recordings of His actual prayers. But those few recorded prayers can help us understand God, Jesus and ourselves.
In Luke 10, Jesus sends 72 (some sources say 70) of His followers ahead of Him in a mission of proclamation and service. At the conclusion, Scripture says,
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Luke 10:17 NIV
(Notice “in Your name.” They knew Whose was the power.)
These seventy [-two] disciples learned that when we boldly do what Jesus tells us to do,
we can anticipate that He will bless us in ways beyond our expectation.
(David Gruzik)
After Jesus reminded them that the greater miracle was their salvation (v 20), we read:
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. (v 21)
Notice: Jesus, full of joy in the Spirit, praises the Father, because “… for this is what you [the Father] were pleased to do.” (what You rejoiced to do!)
Jesus gives His message to the humble of heart, the “little children,” not to those blinded by their own perceived brilliance.
Jesus exults when His nameless children prosper.”
(Morrison)
It is important to remember that we are those “little children,” the ones who are given the power of Jesus’s name.
Dear children, you belong to God. You have not accepted the teachings of the false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is powerful. He is more powerful than the one who is in the world.
1 John 4:4 New International Reader’s Version
We can be utterly dependent, or rather admit our dependence.
We can be completely vulnerable, honest, and open with our questions
and we can expect that God will answer us with precisely what we need.
Child faith is that which knows we don’t know, knows He does,
and asks with the expectation that the answer He gives will be the right one.
(unknown)
God, I pray You will give me this kind of faith.