Learning To Pray

Luke 11:1-4

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

There are an untold number of different ideas about prayer. Almost every religion has their own form of prayer. Even many non religious doctors recommend prayer because it has such powerful psychological benefits. Most people are familiar with the prayers of the Moslem religion or at least some of the those of the Catholic church. Unless it is explained, few would recognize that the Navajo sprinkling corn pollen to the four directions was a form of prayer. For many Buddhists, rubbing the statue’s belly or leaving an offering is also a form of prayer.

The confusion dates back many centuries. In first Samuel 1:9-16, Eli did not recognize Hannah as praying because she prayed silently. We are told that Jews coming to the wailing wall to pray in Jerusalem shout their prayers and it seems that was what Eli thought prayer was.

Over the years some of the ideas I’ve heard about prayer are laughable, while others are really troubling. One man didn’t believe you should pray kneeling on a carpet floor. Sounds like his belief was similar to the prophets of Baal in Elijah’s day who believed God would listen if they hurt themselves enough.

Another man spent two hours every morning praying. In order to keep himself awake, he walked a certain path continuously. Many books have been written advocating that people spend a certain number of hours in prayer, or that they use certain prescribed prayers. Several writers recommend praying the scriptures, and some state that if you conclude with the words, “In Jesus’ name”, God is obligated to fulfill your request. Some have advocated praying until you got your request.

In the light of such confusion, Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. Matthew 6 records details of what Jesus taught that Luke does not. The first thing we learn is that prayer is between God and the individual. Hypocrites make a big production of their prayers, because they want man to know what they were praying. Matthey 6:5-6 gives specific guidelines. “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”

Public prayer tends to focus on the response of those hearing it rather than on talking to God. Real prayer is nothing more than talking to God. It should not be concerned with how the prayer sounds to others. Many are concerned that their prayers will not be heard if not couched in certain terms, so they buy prayer books or memorize prayers in hopes they will be more effective. Such concern ignores the teaching in Romans 8:26-27. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” The Holy Spirit will convey the message to God properly, so we don’t have to worry about not saying it right. It is not some kind of spell.

Jesus forbade using memorized prayers or even thinking that we should pray long prayers in the belief that God will listen if we pray long enough. Matthew 6:7-8 commands, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” God doesn’t need or want a long explanation as what we want or why. He already knows. Think how you would respond if your kids talked to you the way you pray to God. Would you listen or get upset. I’m pretty sure you’d get upset if they kept repeating the same words.

The Lord gave an example for us to follow. He was not praying when he gave it, nor is it a prayer we should pray. Matthew 6:9 stresses that it is an example or model. “After this manner therefore pray ye:…” It is impossible for us to “Pray” this prayer. It is not us talking. When they forbid schools to quote this prayer, they did not ban prayers in school. The kids were not praying anyway. They were just parroting a speech they had memorized.

“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:2-4)

The first thing we notice is the very shortness of this example. It gets straight to the point. The second thing is the emphasis on who God is. Un like the Evangelist who prayed, “God I command you…” it recognizes that God is to be respected. He’s not the old man upstairs, or our homie, he is the God of heaven, the creator of the world, and the rightful King. Everything is to be done in a manner that satisfies him.

The request for meeting needs is presented in a manner that acknowledges God’s right to supply as he sees fit rather than demanding that he give what we want as we want it. The request for forgiveness acknowledges our sinful nature, and our responsibility to recognize others as our equals. It acknowledges our dependence on Him for victory over sin. It is very similar to the publican’s prayer in the story of the Pharisee and publican in Luke 18:10-14. There is no pride in real prayer, just simple telling God what you think.

Unfortunately most of the books focus on the sense of religious pride we get from a perfectly worded prayer rather than on talking with God. Please understand that talking with God means listening as well as talking. Many people just talk at God, not really to him.