Luke 11:1-13
There are so many times that I go to the Lord in prayer and for some reason I am just unable to find the right words. Almost always, my prayers start off with something similar to “Lord, please help me with this situation, God please help me to do this or that.” Examining my prayer life has led me to ask the question, what does the inward focus of my prayer life say about who I am? There are plenty examples in the gospels of how Jesus prayed, is my prayer life reflective of that of Jesus?
In Luke 11, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray. This request comes after they not only watched Jesus pray before his encounter with Satan where he was continually tempted, but also where Jesus had just recently withdrew himself to pray. Imagine the awesomeness of having a front row seat and being able to watch Jesus pray! It is obvious this experience had a profound affect on his disciples’. There is now wonder their response was to ask Jesus not to teach them how to teach, nor how to preach, but to pray.
Prayer, at its most elementary definition, is simply having a conversation with God. Prayer is simple enough for a child but challenging enough for even the mightiest of men.
Like the disciples, I invite us to also ask the same request of Jesus: Lord, teach us to pray. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says, God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few. It is my opinion that Jesus does not expect a long narrative or tiresome effort when we come to him in prayer. I believe He wants us to have a conversation with Him.
As you ask Jesus to teach you to pray, please share your prayer with this Fellowship of Believers. May it be a blessing to us all!
In Him,
JS
I actually thought about today in church how my life would be different if I retreated more often and more regularly to pray...to truly sit and be still and know that He is God on a consistent, constant basis. Please pray I'm able to do that!! Thanks for your words, Jonathan..
ReplyDeleteRecently, I've noticed how I avoid those in my life who are hardest to love. Thus, being convicted by the Holy Spirit, I've found myself recently praying for God to help me love those who are hardest to love in my life. By Wednesday I should have a short prayer written (or blogged) to share.
ReplyDeleteEvery prayer that I tried to verbalize into the "right" words, sounded like a psalm. This prayer was the least psalmy of them all:
ReplyDeleteAlmighty Father,
Your love is my breath
I ask for new forgiveness every morning and the strength to be a light to your kingdom.
Protect me from the evil one and bless me with your wisdom, so that I can spend eternity with you.
:)