What Jesus Did! 'Lord, Teach Me to Pray!' — Luke 11:1

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
— Luke 11:1 NLT

Key Thought

So many books have been written about prayer. Most of us have attended classes on prayer. Yet, when was the last time you gave serious time to look in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and study how Jesus prayed, what he taught about prayer, and why he felt prayer was - and is - important? Why not commit to spending some significant time with a highlighter reading the Gospels. Highlight and study each passage related to prayer. As we read, let's petition Jesus each day, "Lord, teach me to pray!" As we pray in the power and authority of Jesus' name every day, let's also commit to learning to pray as Jesus prayed.

Today's Prayer

Holy God and Almighty Father, thank you for giving me the avenue of prayer to speak with you, to seek you, and to come into your presence. I recognize that prayer is a gift from you, ensured and assisted by the intercession of your Son and the Holy Spirit. Please, dear Father, lead me and guide me in my efforts to learn to pray as your Son prayed and as he taught his disciples to pray. I long to draw nearer to you, to honor you more completely with all of my being, and to submit my will to your will. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

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8 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration of Luke 11:1-4
Inspirational illustration of Luke 11:1-4 -- Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.
Simplicity and Prayer
Article by Bill Sherrill
Why do we make things so complex? Prayer should be simple, just like Jesus taught it and not made unnecessarily complex.
Learning to Pray
Article by Jennifer Kennedy Dean
How do you pray? Prayer is learned and we need to learn from Jesus how to pray.
Learning to Live the Life God Blesses
Article by Rick Brown
So how does this all fit with prayer? Rick Brown leads us to see prayer in a fresh way, but also the way of Jesus.
See All 8 Related Resources about Luke 11:1

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:1 NLT — Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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