Prayer: On a Mountain
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Prayer on a mountain holds significant spiritual symbolism and importance throughout the Bible. Mountains are often depicted as places of divine encounter, revelation, and solitude, where individuals draw near to God in prayer and receive guidance, strength, and instruction.

Old Testament Instances

1. Moses on Mount Sinai: One of the most profound examples of prayer on a mountain is Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai. In Exodus 19:20, it is recorded, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." Here, Moses receives the Ten Commandments and intercedes for the people of Israel, demonstrating the mountain as a place of divine communication and covenant.

2. Elijah on Mount Carmel: In 1 Kings 18, Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. After the dramatic demonstration of God's power, Elijah prays for rain, and God answers his prayer, ending a severe drought. This event underscores the mountain as a place of spiritual victory and answered prayer.

New Testament Instances

1. Jesus on the Mountain: Jesus frequently withdrew to mountains to pray, seeking solitude and communion with the Father. In Matthew 14:23, it is noted, "After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone." This practice highlights the importance of retreat and focused prayer in the life of Jesus.

2. The Transfiguration: In Matthew 17:1-2, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them. This event, accompanied by prayer, reveals His divine glory and the affirmation of His mission. The mountain serves as a place of revelation and divine affirmation.

3. The Sermon on the Mount: While not a direct instance of prayer, the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is delivered from a mountainside, where Jesus teaches about prayer, including the Lord's Prayer. This setting emphasizes the mountain as a place of teaching and spiritual instruction.

Symbolism and Significance

Mountains in biblical narratives often symbolize closeness to God, spiritual elevation, and a place set apart from the distractions of daily life. They provide a setting for profound spiritual experiences and encounters with the divine. Prayer on a mountain signifies a deliberate act of seeking God, away from the noise and busyness of the world, to gain clarity, strength, and direction.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of praying on a mountain can be understood as seeking solitude and intentional time with God, whether on a literal mountain or in a quiet, set-apart place. It encourages believers to prioritize moments of retreat and focused prayer, emulating the examples set by biblical figures who encountered God in these elevated places.
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Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
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Mark 6:46
And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
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Luke 6:12
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
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Luke 9:28
And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
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Library

The Mountain Home
... him" this or that matter, which had called forth his letter; and secondly, in order
that their affairs might be made the subject of prayer in the mountain home ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xliii the mountain home.htm

A Secret Life of Prayer.
... 1-6; x:1-3, 17; John xx:19-23; Matthew xxviii:18-20.) A Secret Life of Prayer. ... But
the great danger here is not simply in the huge mountain of ice that you see ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/a secret life of prayer.htm

The Praying Christ
... These are the gathering-grounds which feed the river. The life that was all one
long prayer needed the mountain-top and the nightly converse with God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the praying christ.htm

The Lord's Prayer: the Preface in Matthew
... In the second place it is not possible that the same prayer should be said on the
mountain where "When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter xii the lords prayer .htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord
... tax and exhaust Him, The disciples are tossed on the sea, but calmness reigns on
the mountain top where our Lord is kneeling in secret prayer"where prayer ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/viii prayer incidents in the.htm

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in ...
... Hence the Truth itself, manifested to us through susception of our humanity, continues
in prayer on the mountain, but works miracles in the cities (Luke 6:12 ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter v that the ruler.htm

The Geometry of Prayer
... prayer is a rising up and a drawing near to God: not in space indeed; not in measurable
miles; but in mind, and in heart, and in spirit. "Oh for a mountain to ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/ii the geometry of prayer.htm

After Prayer Jesus Selects Twelve Apostles.
... came to pass in these days, that he went out into the mountain ^b 13 And he goeth
up into the mountain, ^c to pray; and he continued all night in prayer to God ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xli after prayer jesus selects.htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord (Continued)
... There is nothing like prayer to bring heavenly visitants and to gild with
heavenly glory earth's mountain to us, dull and drear. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ix prayer incidents in the.htm

The Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
... Herod, and the banquet that ended with the murder of the Baptist, and King Jesus,
and the banquet that ended with His lonely prayer on the mountain-side, the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxix the miraculous feeding.htm

Resources
Why is daily prayer important? | GotQuestions.org

What is a prayer vigil? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different types of prayer? | GotQuestions.org

Prayer: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Prayers

Prayers of Christ

Prayers of the Unrighteous

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