Notes of Faith August 1, 2025

The Greatest Privilege

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

Luke 11:1

There is a general perception among Christians that prayer is a topic for the New Testament rather than the Old. But prayer was not an unknown subject among the Jews as evidenced by the fact that John the Baptist had instructed his disciples how to pray.

That makes Jesus’ disciples’ request to Him a little unusual: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Perhaps they had learned from Jesus that prayer could be a very personal discipline instead of just a religious practice. Their request to Jesus suggests a newfound dimension to an ancient practice: prayer to a personal Father rather than only to the God of the nation (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2). And perhaps the disciples had done what we often do—taking conversation with our Heavenly Father for granted rather than entering into it as life’s greatest privilege.

If prayer for you has become more of a formality than an adventure, consider using the prayer Jesus taught His disciples as a model for your own prayers (Matthew 6:9-13).

Prayer is the key of heaven; faith is the hand that turns it.

Thomas Watson

When we realize that we can talk to God (prayer) at any time, for any length of time, literally at all times, it should humble our hearts and minds that God wants intimate personal relationship with each of us! He hears and responds to our prayers. His response is usually not our plan (thank You, Lord!), but He answers for our good and His eternal glory. Learning to pray is learning to commune with God, at all times, even without words, just thoughts…He knows before we pray what we need. Let us seek to commune with God the way Jesus did with His Father!

Pastor Dale