I’ve made an interesting discovery. The only places that the Bible has recorded of Jesus praying (for an extended period of time) are all outside. When Jesus prayed by himself, he seemed to prefer the outdoors rather than the indoors. The places that the Bible mentions that Jesus prayed at are: the Garden of Gethsemane (which was one of his favorite places to pray), a mountain, the wilderness, and a deserted place. Surely Jesus must’ve also prayed indoors since He was the one to teach about praying inside a closet (Matt 6:6). But the Bible never mentions Jesus even prayed inside a house, let alone a closet. Also it never mentions Jesus even praying inside a temple.
Why did Jesus prefer to pray outside? One reason is that it feels closer to God by being surrounded by God’s creation and glory. Another reason could be that it’s easier to be alone being outside and not have any interruptions from other people. Another reason is that you can shout and cry out to God in the middle of the wilderness or on top of a mountain and nobody can hear you.
Matthew 14:23
And when He had sent the crowds away, He went up into a mountain apart to pray. And when evening had come, He was there alone.
Matthew 26:36
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said to the disciples, Sit here while I go and pray there.
Mark 1:35
And rising up quite early in the night, He went out and went away into a deserted place, and He was praying there.
Mark 6:46
And taking leave of them, He went away to the mountain to pray.
Mark 14:32
And they came to a place named Gethsemane. And He said to His disciples, Sit here while I pray.
Luke 3:21
And it happened in the baptizing of all the people, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, and the heaven was opened.
Luke 5:15-16
But the word about Him spread even more. And great crowds were coming to hear, and to be healed from their infirmities by Him. But He was drawing back in the wilderness, and praying.
Luke 6:12
And it happened in those days that He went out into a mountain to pray, and He was spending the night in prayer to God.
Luke 9:17-18
And they ate and were all filled. And there was taken up twelve hand baskets full of fragments of that left over to them. And it happened as He was alone praying, the disciples were with Him. And He asked them, saying, Whom do the crowds say that I am?
Luke 9:28
And about eight days after these sayings, He took Peter and John and James and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luke 22:39-41
And going out, according to His custom, He went to the Mount of Olives. And His disciples also followed Him. And when He was at the place, He said to them, Pray that you do not enter into temptation. And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw. And He kneeled down and prayed,
John 18:1-2
Having spoken these words, Jesus went out with His disciples over the winter stream Kidron, where there was a garden. He and His disciples entered into it. And Judas who betrayed Him also knew the place. For Jesus oftentimes went there with His disciples.