Teach Us To Pray

Luke 11:1—4

August 3, 2008

Today’s Bible passage contains Jesus teaching of the Lord’s prayer. I’ll read the first part of this passage and then get you to say the Lord’s Prayer with me: It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." And He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen

In the first chapter of the book of Mark, we are given a rare glimpse into the early days of Jesus' ministry. The twelve disciples had not been chosen, but Andrew, James, John, and Peter were already emerging as followers of Christ.

In Mark 1:35—37 (NAB), we read for the first time of Jesus' prayer life: "In the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. And Simon and his companions hunted for Him; and they found Him, and said to Him, `Everyone is looking for You."

Jesus' behavior was not the norm. He didn't always go to the temple to pray as everyone else did. Instead, He arose early to be alone with God. But His goal in prayer wasn't to complete a ritual; it was to communicate with His heavenly Father and to gain refreshment for His soul.

Later, Luke recorded a different scenario as Jesus interacted with His disciples. The same men were the ones thirsty for what Jesus was experiencing with the Father. They, too, wanted to know that type of holy communion and pleaded, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).

God loves us and He wants to make His love apparent. Would you, too, yearn along with the disciples, "Lord, teach me to pray"?

Teach me to pray, Lord. I want to experience the same intimate communion that You had with the Father. Help me set aside time to learn.