“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
“Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus’ disciples spoke those words after having seen him in prayer numerous times. It is likely they felt that their prayer lives were inadequate and in need of a session in Prayer 101. Was it that prayer was new to them? Certainly not. They had spent many years watching and listening to the priests and rabbis offer prayers. Yet when they saw Jesus praying, they felt they were missing something. It was at that time Jesus showed them how to pray.
Perhaps there are times we feel that same inadequacy. Might it be true that many of us feel that our prayer lives are not what they ought to be? Martin Luther once admitted, “At times I, who teach this and prescribe it to others, have learned from my own example that praying comes close to being the most difficult of all works.”
Interestingly, we teach our children how to wash themselves, how to tie their shoes and ride a bike, but we rarely teach them how to pray. Can any of us remember when someone took time to teach us? For some reason prayer is one of those blessings that is taken for granted, something we are supposed to instinctively know how to do. Sadly that view of prayer leaves many believers struggling in their prayer lives and missing some of the greatest gifts available.
Prayer is perhaps the most basic command given us by the Father. The Bible says we are to do it ceaselessly, morning and night, when we are in trouble, when we are joyful, when we need guidance, and when we are searching for strength and comfort. Prayer is so important that the Bible records over six hundred prayers. Might the Lord be saying something to us?
It is the author’s prayer that in the following pages we will become more aware of this blessing and that our prayer lives will move us from passive pray-ers to active pray-ers, from occasional pray-ers to continual pray-ers, from thoughtless pray-ers to attentive pray-ers. Our heavenly Father wants his dear children to take every advantage of this blessing that he offers. And he has made Prayer 101 remarkably easy for anyone to use!
Take a moment to reflect on the strength of your prayer life.
God wants us to pray, and he wants to hear our prayers–
not because we are worthy, but because he is merciful.
Martin Luther