Luke 11:1

It seems curious that one of the disciples would ask Jesus, "Teach me to pray." What did he see was missing in his own prayer-life as he watched Jesus pray? Maybe it was the earnestness of Jesus' prayer. Maybe it was the way he addressed God as his Father. Maybe it was the content of Jesus' prayers. Whatever was lacking in that disciple's prayer-life, Jesus did address it. He also gave all of his disciples a model to follow for the future.

Lord, teach me to pray. There will be times when I make the same request. I look at my prayer-life and its outcome, and conclude something must be missing. Maybe my prayer isn't passionate enough. Maybe my prayer isn't confident enough. Maybe my prayer isn't filled with all the right words. These assumptions may arise because God doesn't always answer me according to my requests.

This is one of the first lessons Jesus teaches regarding prayer. God will hear and answer my prayers. This assurance does not depend on what I do, but it depends completely on what Jesus did. Because of his work to remove my sin and guilt, as well as his continuing work as my Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, 6), I know all my prayers will reach their destination. Another important lesson I need to learn is the Lord will always answer my prayers in the best way possible, and according to his intimate knowledge of my life. The answer may be yes. It may be no. It may even be pray more and trust me.  

The final lesson Jesus teaches regards the content of my prayer. Usually my prayers are very personal. They can also be very self-centered and selfish. I see all the things I feel are missing. Then, I ask the Lord to give them to me. Jesus distinguishes between the things I want and the things that are truly necessary. It is a lesson I daily need.

This is why the Lord's Prayer is such a complete prayer. It combines all of Jesus' lessons on prayer and weaves them into a beautiful tapestry of heartfelt requests. Not only do I see how and why I can come to God with complete confidence, I also see what is truly needed. And it all starts with God's undeserved love for me in Jesus.

Lord, teach me to pray. It is a request that will never go unanswered, and its answer will always be undeserved.