Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1)
But when He prayed himself,
He went much deeper (John 17)
His longest prayer was a High Priestly Prayer.
His disciples had the experience of hearing some teaching,
Or observing the results of someone who was taught to pray.
For in their hearts and minds, they wanted some structure
For the time they spent bowing in prayer to God.
Jesus prayed often, and it was not only in the temple or synagogue.
Those are our normal places of gathered prayer.
What they wanted, and we all need, is the prayer to pray
When in the middle of a storm or a great personal challenge.
How do we pray? What do we say? Is there a structure?
Jesus taught them about prayer with just a few words
We call it the “Lord’s Prayer.” But since we never hear him pray these words,
It should be called the “Disciple’s Prayer.” He taught it to them.
And it’s a great model for turning our needs into structured language.
Choose from Matthew or Luke’s account, and the structure is sound.
But Matthew has a more complete feel, and opening and closing.
Matthew has no account of the question so that they could learn.
Here Jesus is teaching what we’ve called the Sermon on the Mount.
Prayer is a part of how we should be living life.
Go ahead, click here, and read that sermon in a single sitting.
In the middle of life’s choices, Jesus teaches about prayer.
Make it part of your whole life, and you’ll find it’s far easier to pray.
Prayer is not just seeking God for answers.
Prayer is our conversation about our observations of God.
Mark time by talking to God. Often. Constantly. Without Ceasing.
Maybe you’ll find, as I do, that prayer is not a repetitive rote
Of only asking for something that’s needed.
Go ahead, try it as Moses did. Talk to God of God
The times may not be the best. Struggles push our limits.
But if prayer is to be more than asking for stuff
Then spend some time just talking to God. Of God.
See?!!? Prayer is more than asking. It is a lot about giving.
Psalms 90:1-17 NKJV
A Prayer Of Moses the Man of God.
LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God.
You turn man to destruction, And say,
“Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it is past,
And like a watch in the night.
You carry them away like a flood;
They are like a sleep.
In the morning they are like grass which grows up:
In the morning it flourishes and grows up;
In the evening it is cut down and withers.
For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.
For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;
We finish our years like a sigh.
The days of our lives are seventy years;
And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,
Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;
For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knows the power of Your anger?
For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Return, O LORD! How long?
And have compassion on Your servants.
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us,
The years in which we have seen evil.
Let Your work appear to Your servants,
And Your glory to their children.
And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us,
And establish the work of our hands for us;
Yes, establish the work of our hands.