Listen

Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus told them, “When you pray, say:

‘Father, uphold the holiness of your name. Bring in your kingdom. Give us the bread we need for today. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us. And don’t lead us into temptation.’”

Luke 11:1-4

Think

Sometimes, praying doesn’t come naturally. It’s not second-nature, it’s not easy to do. We aren’t sure what to say or how to sit, and we feel awkward with whatever we try. At the same time, we know that prayer is critically important for our life with God in a world that presents many challenges. The fact that Jesus prays regularly in the Gospels highlights its importance, and I take great comfort in the fact that his disciples seemed to find prayer difficult as well — so they asked Jesus for help.

At the end of the day, that’s what prayer is. We ask God for help because of who God is: a holy parent full of authority and love, a ruler who has power to change the world, a provider who meets our material needs, and a counselor who helps us live in right relationship with those around us. The prayer that Jesus teaches his disciples isn’t magic, but it does give us a model for how we can talk to God and why we should.

Rebecca Poe Hays

Pray

Holy God, teach me to talk to you more often, more honestly, and with more faith that you will hear and respond.

Transform the world and transform me.

In the name of Jesus who teaches me to pray, amen.

Go

Just keep praying — just keep PRAYING!