Teach Us To Pray

TEACH US TO PRAY

a prayer to open

Open my eyes and help me to see you.

Open my heart and help me to know you.

Jesus, my Lord and my God.

One of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

‘Father, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon.

Give us each day the food we need,

and forgive us our sins,

as we forgive those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation.’”

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

This prayer Jesus teaches his disciples is historically referred to as the Lord’s Prayer or the “Our Father.” When reading this passage, we probably focus on the actual prayer and tend to skip over the story Jesus tells afterward. Jesus seems to be telling his disciples that although it is important what we pray, it is more important to know the one to whom we are praying. Our Father longs to pour out blessing on us, answer our deepest desires, and commune with us. He is not the annoyed, judgmental neighbor who won’t lend food in a time of need unless you badger him enough that he gives in. So Jesus is telling us to pray to our Father knowing that he loves us, is for us, and desires to bless us.

• What do you notice about the prayer Jesus teaches his disciples? What’s included that surprises you? What’s not included that you thought would be?
• What is the image of God you’ve had in your mind as you’ve prayed? (Is it the true Father who loves you, or a distorted image that needs to be corrected?)
• What does today’s passage reveal to you about Jesus?

Father, may your name, your very essence, be held holy and in the highest regard. May your Kingdom come here on earth as it already exists in heaven. Provide me this day with what I need to extend your Kingdom and love your people. Forgive me all my wrongdoings, omissions, and mistakes, just as I will forgive others who hurt, betray, or fail to love me. Lead me through and out of every temptation so that I may remain steadfast and strong in my faith and service to you. Amen.