“Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 NKJV
Think back to when a child first learns the alphabet. It’s slow, repetitive, and often messy, but essential. No one wakes up one day able to read books without first learning their ABCs. In the same way, to pray effectively, you must know the methodology of praying. Just as the alphabet is essential to forming words, praying is vital to building your faith as a believer, so you must learn how to pray.
In the anchor text, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. This tells you that learning to pray is possible. Like the disciples, you must hunger to grow in the place of prayer. Prayer is a way of speaking to God; notably, Jesus, God in the flesh, teaches the fundamental principles of prayer.
The first thing Jesus points out about prayer is your identity. He starts the verse with “Our Father,” reminding you that you are God’s child.
When you approach God in prayer, remember you are coming to a good and loving Father who delights in spending time with His children. He already knows your heart and understands your needs before you even speak (Matthew 6:8). Because of this intimate relationship, you can pray with confidence and expectation, knowing you are talking to someone who truly cares about every detail of your life.
Furthermore, Jesus talks about your priorities. Your prayer time is not just for asking God about things you need. It is about aligning yourself with God’s will for your life and the world.
Through prayer, you can hear God’s voice, receive His direction, and align your life with His will. Prayer is essential for a purposeful Christian life because it keeps you connected to God’s heart and plans.
Lastly, perseverance in prayer is another lesson we see in the scripture (Luke 18:1). One of the most essential ways to pray is to do so continually (Colossians 4:2). Like physical exercise strengthens your body, consistent prayer strengthens your faith and prepares you for God’s purposes.
Dear believer, prayer is an essential part of your life as a Christian, so you must learn to do it effectively and consistently.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Chronicles 20-22; Luke 12:13-40