May 1

The School Of Prayer

One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” — Luke 11:1 BSB

There is no other teacher like Christ. He was the Master in the art of prayer, and all the greatest intercessors throughout history have learned from His example. His life of prayer inspired them. One of the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray because they saw Him praying—a perfect example of the power of unconscious influence. If a boy kneels to pray in his school dormitory, he is likely to inspire others to do the same.

Be sincere and natural in your prayers. Don’t just repeat words that have lost their meaning through constant use. Think about what you truly need and ask for the grace to meet those needs, like a child asking their father.

Pray for others too. Don’t only use “I,” “me,” and “my,” but include “we,” “our,” and “us.” Remember that Jesus included intercession for others in every part of the prayer He taught His disciples.

When you pray, expect to receive, not just ask. A beggar doesn’t stop at asking—they continue until they receive. Yet we often ask without thinking about receiving. Before you leave your prayer, especially when you’ve prayed for something God has promised, believe that you have already received it. “Have faith in God” means trusting in His faithfulness to you. Don’t focus on your own faith, because just as constantly checking your health can make you anxious, continually worrying about your faith can weaken it. Instead, focus on the unchanging character of God—the faithful God who keeps His promises forever.

Leave the ultimate answer to your prayer in His hands. Sometimes, like children, we unknowingly ask for things that would harm us. In those cases, it’s an act of love and wisdom when God says no and gives us what we would have asked for if we had known better. When we reach heaven, we’ll be just as thankful for the unanswered prayers as for the answered ones.

Give the Master time to teach you how to pray. Wait for Him, even when your feelings are weak, just as you would when your heart is aflame. He values regular, unhurried moments with His students.

Prayer

Teach me to pray, O Lord, as You taught Your disciples, and guide my desires so that I ask only for things that align with Your will. Amen.