Devotion Title: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”

 Devotion Title: “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”

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Scripture Reading

Luke 11:1 (RSV)

“He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’”

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Personal Reflection

Why did the disciples, having seen Jesus heal the sick, raise the dead, walk on water, and feed thousands, ask Him not for the power to perform miracles, but to pray? Could it be that what impressed them most was not the signs and wonders, but the intimacy and authority they witnessed in His communion with the Father?

It is telling that the greatest request ever made of Jesus by His closest friends was: “Teach us to pray.” They didn’t ask for leadership skills, self-esteem, or wealth. They saw that His power flowed from His prayer life, and they longed to draw near to the Father as He did.

Contrast this with much of modern Christianity, where books on success, blessing, and breakthrough often eclipse those on prayer and repentance. In our pursuit of God’s hand, we often neglect His face.

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Contemplation

The Hebrew word for prayer, tefillah, teaches us something deeper. Derived from the verb l’hitpalel, it suggests self-judgmentor introspection. Before a word is even spoken, prayer invites us to search our hearts. This is not just a conversation; it’s a mirror—showing us who we are before a holy God.

Isaiah understood this. In the presence of the Lord, he cried, “Woe is me, for I am undone!”(Isaiah 6:5). True prayer begins with a holy reckoning—with a heart ready to be changed before it asks for change in the world.

Jesus, our Master, prayed from a place of yielded obedience. He sought the Father’s will over His own comfort, and the disciples wanted to imitate that surrender. We should too.

So before we ask for healing, direction, or breakthrough, we should first ask: Is my heart right before God? Am I willing to receive and accept what God has for me—even if it’s not what I had in mind?

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Prayer

Father in Heaven,
Teach me to pray—not just with words, but with a heart that is humble and yielded to You. Let me come before You with reverence, as one who stands in the presence of the Holy. Search me and know me. Cleanse any sin that hinders my fellowship with You. Transform my desires to match Your will.
As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” Help me to pray in that same spirit—with self-examination, surrender, and trust.
In the name of Jesus, my Master and LORD, I pray. Amen.