One of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray.”
Interesting, isn’t it? This student doesn’t ask Jesus to teach him to preach. Why not? Surely Jesus was a great preacher.
He doesn’t request more knowledge, better understanding of human nature, or even miraculous power. Why not? Surely Jesus demonstrated all these in spectacular fashion.
No. This man wants the Teacher to help him pray.
Revealing isn’t it? For all the wonderful things he might ask the Teacher to share, he wants to know how to pray. We suspect this man understood more about the source of Jesus’ power than most.
He said to them, "When you pray, say:" 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.' "
Students of Jesus pay attention to the power of prayer and the discipline of persistence in prayer.
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Students learn to pray for the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. For without this Tutor we cannot progress very far in becoming more like our Teacher.
"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
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