Jesus has already asked the Father in prayer to restore Lazarus to life and He now thanks His Father for answering His prayer, . . . without having yet seen the result of it!  Jesus knows what is at stake here; if He fails, all of His efforts will have been wasted, and yet He is fully confident in the result of His request to God and answers with thanksgiving, as if Lazarus was already raised from the dead. Talk about faith!

Notice also that Jesus prayed in order for the miracle to happen. Godet observes, “Miracles are just so many answered prayers.” What significance does this hold for you?

Note also the attitude of Jesus in prayer. He does not bow His head; He does not close His eyes. Instead He “looked up”. Is this the only manner in which Jesus prayed? What application does this have for us? Why do we close our eyes when we pray? The only references to closing the eyes in the NIV are Gen 46:4, Le 20:4, Isa 6:10, none of which have anything to do with prayer.

Genesis 46:4  I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

Leviticus 20:4  If the people of the community close their eyes when that man gives one of his children to Molech and they fail to put him to death,

Isaiah 6:10  Make the heart of this people calloused; make their ears dull and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”