Lord, Teach us to Pray

Jesus often would go off by himself to spend time in prayer. In Luke chapter 11:1 this practice caused his disciples ask Christ how to pray. The disciples asked, "Lord teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples to pray." Jesus gladly responded this way.

"'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.’”

Is this prayer intended for us to say literally or use as a model for prayer? In one word, yes. Notice that Christ says, "When you pray, say." In Matthew 6:9 Jesus says, "Pray, then, in this way." Nothing is wrong with using this prayer to model your own personal prayer with your own wording. Likewise, it is completely acceptable to use scripture such as this directly as your prayer.

Obviously, a prayer like the Lord's prayer should not be said in repetitious vanities as some do, but should be said with understanding and meaning. Praying this exact prayer can be used as a tool to properly teach us how to pray. Like a musician learns from other artist before he develops his own music in the likeness of his mentors, a believer can learn how to pray from beginning to pray the prayer of our Lord.

Luke 11:1 points out that prayer was a habit for our Savior. If prayer is not a habit in your life begin by understanding and praying this prayer. Below are a few passages of scripture that will help you in understanding this prayer. Read these scriptures and say this prayer. Develop a habit of cognitive prayer in your own life. Jesus can teach you how to pray!

Father

Read: Romans 8:15-17

Hallowed by be Your name

Read: Exodus 20:7

Your Kingdom come

Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10

Give us each day our daily bread

Read: Matthew 6:26

Forgive us of our sins

Read: Romans 3:23&24

For we also forgive

Read: Ephesians 4:32

And lead us not into temptation

Read: Hebrews 2:18