The prayers of the Lord Jesus on the cross - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do.
Luke 23:34

The prayers of the Lord Jesus on the cross
The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus prayed three times on the cross.

His first prayer reveals grace for His enemies: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do.” Until now, the Saviour has remained silent about the evil done to Him by the people. He has not defended Himself. He remained silent as they nailed Him to the cross, but now He opens His mouth. Yet He does not call for vengeance but instead asks for forgiveness for those who have made themselves guilty through His crucifixion. What grace!

We hear His second prayer at the end of the three hours of darkness: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46). Now a cry of distress comes from the lips of the suffering Saviour because during these hours, He bore the punishment for our sins and was made sin. He had always trusted His God and served without ceasing. But now He has experienced that God, in His holiness, has turned away from Him. What agony!

The third prayer is spoken by the Lord Jesus just before He gives up His life: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” (Luke 23:46). He has accomplished the work of sin-bearing. So now He can confidently entrust His spirit into the hands of His Father. Then He dies.

But He knows that God will raise Him. What trust!

Today’s reading: Judges 14:1-13 · 2 Corinthians 12:11-15