PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 11:1-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“One of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1)
It seems surprising to me that Jesus hasn’t taught them to pray yet.
Or was Jesus teaching them, but the disciples were not hearing it?
“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place…” (Luke 11:1)
Jesus was teaching by example, by modeling the disciples life.
How he related to God as Father and honoured God’s Name in public.
How he pursued God’s kingdom and will while relating to sinners.
How he trusted God for daily bread, and forgave those who wronged Him.
How he daily relied on God for help against temptation.
Prayer was not a separate activity for Jesus, it was how he lived.
Sometimes he went apart to pray, other times he prayed while he worked.
Sometimes he prayed out loud, sometimes he prayed in his heart.
In a sense, he was always bowed before God whether he ‘prayed’ or not.
Prayer is more of a relationship than a way of speaking to God.
Jesus invites you to be and talk with him whatever you are doing.
PRAYER
Lord, teach me to pray in your way… a relationship with God that can involve words or silence, being still or being active.
Prayer was an important aspect of Jesus ministry – he would take the time to pray – and it seems he prayed even as he taught and healed people. I too need my time with the ‘Lord’ and I too need to call on him – even briefly as I go through my day. I need the guidance of the spirit, so I need to be cognizant of listening and directing my day, my actions in concert with that leading. Help me Lord not to be so busy to still your voice!
Then as today, there are times for formal prayers – a meal times: at bed times, and morning devotions but also between times – anytime. We call upon our Father. All things come from Him and through Him. Lord teach me to pray relying upon You in all things and live prayerfully in Your presence being like Christ unto others.
1 Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
uttered or unexpressed;
the motion of a hidden fire
that trembles in the breast.
2 Prayer is the simplest form of speech
that infant lips can try,
prayer the sublimest strains that reach
the Majesty on high.
3 Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
the Christian’s native air,
his watchword at the gates of death:
he enters heaven with prayer.
4 Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice,
returning from his ways;
while angels in their songs rejoice,
and cry, ‘Behold, he prays!
5 The saints in prayer appear as one,
in word and deed and mind;
while with the Father and the Son
sweet fellowship they find.
6 Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
the Holy Spirit pleads,
and Jesus on the eternal throne
for sinners intercedes.
7 O Thou by whom we come to God,
the Life, the Truth, the Way,
the path of prayer thyself hast trod:
Lord, teach us how to pray!