Jesus prays like Muslims in the Bible

 

Another passage that is often discussed is Matthew 26:39, which describes Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before his arrest and crucifixion. According to the Gospel narrative, this prayer took place approximately 8 to 12 hours before the crucifixion.

The passage states:

"And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed..." (Matthew 26:39)

Those who emphasize this verse draw attention to Jesus' posture during prayer. The Gospel specifically says that he "fell on his face" and prayed to God. This is understood as an act of complete humility, submission, and devotion before God.

From this perspective, it is noted that prostration is also a central form of worship in Islam. Muslims place their foreheads on the ground during prayer (sujūd) as an expression of total submission to God. Therefore, proponents of this view observe that Jesus' manner of praying in this passage resembles the posture of prostration practiced by Muslims today.

They argue that Jesus did not pray to himself, nor did he present himself as the object of worship. Rather, he humbled himself before God, fell on his face, and prayed, demonstrating complete dependence on the One he worshipped.

The passage continues with Jesus saying:

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39)

According to this interpretation, these words further emphasize Jesus' submission to God's will. Jesus distinguishes between his own will and the Father's will, expressing obedience and surrender through prayer.

Based on this passage, proponents of this view argue that Jesus' example of worship—prostrating himself before God and praying with humility and submission—is consistent with the manner in which prophets worshipped God throughout biblical history. They also point to the similarity between this description and the Muslim practice of prostration as an outward expression of worship directed to God alone.