It is interesting to think about the idea of a somber, emotionless God. Many people, from many different religions, view God this way. A higher power that sits above with no emotion- just power and a will I suppose. However, the God of the Bible is definitely not emotionless, and Jesus showed us that in how He demonstrated the Father.
One of the most precious passages of scripture to me that shows Jesus’ prayer life is found in John chapter 17. It is hard not see Jesus’ heart for His disciples, and the future saints to come, as He intercedes here. Take a moment and read the full chapter.
“Father, I desire, that they also whom You gave me may be with me where I am’… ‘O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You… and I have declared to them Your name and will declare it that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. ”
I want to submit to you today that Jesus prayed with emotion. The emotion of man, and the emotion of God. In fact, to put it simpler, man made in the image of God, is full of emotions, and Jesus demonstrated how to channel those emotions in prayer. Jesus taught us about the Father’s emotions toward us. In John 16:27, Jesus tells the disciples that the Father loves them. It would seem the Lord Jesus found it very important to make sure we knew how the Father feels about us- and likewise, it was important to Him to stay in a constant awareness of the Father’s love and pleasure toward Jesus too. Let’s take a look at some of the emotions of God.
God Loves.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
God Hates.
“The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.”
God is Compassionate.
“But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.”
God Grieves.
“And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart”
God is full of Joy.
“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
God Rejoices.
“For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons will marry you. And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.”
Moved by emotions
Jesus was moved by emotions to pray, and He prayed with emotions. A great example of being moved with emotion to prayer is in the garden of Gethsemane.
“He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
I want to leave you with two thoughts to ponder along with me this week.
First, emotions are good. It is healthy to “feel”.
In what ways do you feel your emotions are unhealthy? Ask the Lord as you meditate on the emotions of God in the verses above, to work in the soulish areas of your life He may be highlighting.
Second, when we pray with emotion, we are connecting to God’s emotions. Ask the Lord to show you how to come into alignment with His emotions. Chose one of the passages which emotion stands out to you as ‘needing truth’ in that area the most, to meditate on and ask for alignment in.
Personally this week, I want to intentionally seek as I ask the Lord, “How do You feel”? I want to get better acquainted with His emotions. I know that this is a secret to helping me hear from Him and being led by Him as I look for persons of peace to share the Gospel with.
Have an amazing week!