30 ‘Teach Us to Pray’

Luke 11:1-4; Matt.6:9-15, TBC Book Two, Chapter 30
Jesus and his twelve disciples began to travel more often, and they were always together. This meant leaving their homes and loved ones. After making arrangements so that their families were cared for, the men were prepared to travel wherever Jesus might lead them.

Often Jesus would slip away so he could be alone and pray to the Father. One day, after Jesus had returned from his time of prayer, one of his disciples said, “Lord, why don’t you teach us to pray, just as John the Baptist taught his disciples?”

Jesus was pleased to hear this request. He knew he could have taught them long ago. But it was far better for them to think of this on their own, for them to come to him with this desire.

“When you pray,” Jesus said, “don’t try to draw attention to yourself. That’s what the hypocrites do. . . . But when you pray, go into a room by yourself and shut the door behind you. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And don’t use a lot of words, like the pagans do. The Father knows your needs even before you ask him.

“Now, then, here is how you should pray. . . .

(See THE BIBLE CLICKS, Book Two, Chapter 30, for the rest of the story.)​

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Today’s Takeaways
     A proverb to guide you: Prayer’s climax and cautionary finale: “Forgive others as . . .” and rescue me from “the big one”—the evil one’s siren call.
     A promise to cling to: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:30-32 NIV
     A praise to fill you: The Lord’s Prayer  by Erich Sylvester, Xavier Student Mass, Bellarmine    [Can skip ad after first 5 seconds]

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