Lord, Teach Us...

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:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’” Luke 11:1-4

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 we read for the first time of Jesus’ prayer life. “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, ‘Everyone is looking for You.’”

Jesus’ behavior was not the norm. He didn’t go to the temple to pray like everyone else. 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 records a different scenario as Jesus interacts with His disciples. These same men are now the ones thirsty for what Jesus is experiencing with the Father. They, too, wanted to know this type of holy communion and plead, “Lord, teach us to pray...” (Luke 11:1).

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