Teach Us to Pray

Lord, teach us to pray..." Luke 11:1

Being Jews, it was almost certain that the disciples knew how to pray. Jews were supposed to pray three times a day, like David. They had the morning prayers, afternoon prayers and evening prayers. This custom was supposedly introduced by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, so they had a long tradition of prayer. But they were prescribed prayers. In the morning you recited a blessing upon waking up, another one upon taking your bath, another blessing while putting on your clothes, etc.

So why did the disciple ask Jesus to teach them to pray? Why would anyone ask another to teach them to pray? Because perhaps they saw something they wanted for themselves. They saw that when Jesus prayed, His prayer was effective. It gave Him power, He received wisdom, instruction. He had purpose, meaning, vision. I'm thinking the disciple was asking to learn more formula prayers, more prescribed prayers, for they knew nothing else. 

Instead they got a radical prayer, a prayer which gave them permission to call God, "Abba", daddy, papa. It was unheard of! So really, what Jesus was teaching was that God wanted a close, intimate relationship with His children. Something beyond the ken of the Jews who did not even dare spell out God's name or pronounce it!

Thank you Jesus for showing us the Father's heart, a heart full of love and tender mercies! Indeed what are we that You should desire to have fellowship with us! 

We do not deserve it, but You love us nonetheless!