Jesus was about to die on the cross on our behalf. He was praying to his Father. This has nothing to do with those who pray repetitious prayers.. Three usually represents completeness or divine perfection. God answered him by his situation remaining the same, after Jesus prayed the third time...He was to fulfill Gods plan for him as the sacrificial lamb on behalf of the world.
Jesus gives us an example on how we are to pray...
Matthew 6
[sup]6 [/sup]But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. [sup]7 [/sup]And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
[sup]8 [/sup]“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
[sup]9[/sup]In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
[sup]10 [/sup]Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
[sup]11 [/sup]Give us this day our daily bread.
[sup]12 [/sup]And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
[sup]13 [/sup]And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
My Catholic friend, uses the rosary to pray the above prayer and then the "Hail Mary prayer." then repeats the above prayer again...flicking each bead with the thumb [which represents each prayer said]. When she reaches a point in the beads [which depicts a saint, inset] she prays to that saint and other various saints that have gone into heaven according to how the beads are set out..I would not consider this to be fervent prayer but rather a ritual...They are not prayers inspired by the heart through the Holy Spirit as such but something that has been learned by rote.
James 5 gives us an example of fervent prayers. They usually involve others....
[sup]13 [/sup]Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. [sup]14 [/sup]Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. [sup]15 [/sup]And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. [sup]16 [/sup]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. [sup]17 [/sup]Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. [sup]18 [/sup]And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Shalom!!!