Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray..." Luke 11:1, NKJV

Our youngest child is at an age where her pretend-play is quite entertaining.  Whether it's "cooking" in her kitchen or getting her baby doll ready for bed, it's evident that Giselle pays attention to her family influences and picks up cues from those she observes most.  Lately, I've seen her pick up playing cards (or anything that size and shape), hold it to her ear, and with a look of wide-eyed anticipation say, "Hello?"  It's adorable, but it doesn't stop there.  She'll carry on her imaginary phone call -- pausing to listen, laughing every now and then, holding out the "phone" selfie-style as if it's a video call, and then kindly wrapping up to say goodbye.  Where did she pick all that up from?  Maybe some of it came by intuition, but most of it by emulation of those most influential in her life.  And I would venture to say that that is likely true for us grownups in our manner of communication -- whether by phone, or even in prayer.

When the disciples happened upon Jesus in Luke 11, they found Him praying.  Praying in a way that moved them beyond their previous experience.  "Teach us to pray," was the genuine plea from a heart that wanted the kind of connection with the Father that Jesus evidently enjoyed.

In response, Jesus shared what we know today as "The Lord's Prayer."  Yes, He also shared additional instruction in Luke 11 (and many other places in the gospels).  However, over and above His teaching on prayer the Lord gave to His disciples of all ages an example of prayer to emulate and experience.  Please note:  the Lord's Prayer isn't meant to be a rigid script or mechanical formula.  Why?  Because at its essence prayer is a relational experience with the living God.  Go ahead, take a look again at The Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13, but this time not just to make sure you say the right words. 

Look at it as a model or map of the relational dynamics Jesus wants us to enjoy when we come to God in prayer.

For starters, the map of the Lord's Prayer start from a place of assurance and surrender.  Jesus wants us to approach God not with a need-first, petition-driven desperation.  No, meaningful communion with God starts with the assurance that we belong to God as dearly loved children and then couples that with personal surrender to His rule, His kingship, His will in our lives.  

Of course, there's a place for personal petitions and needs, but not until after we fix our hearts on God as Father and King.  That's when we can lay before God our concerns, anxieties, and lack.  And we can do this day by day trusting that He'll faithfully supply in the right way and at the right time.  Jesus invites us to trust God with the whole spectrum of our need -- our physical wants, our emotional healing and forgiveness, our spiritual victory and deliverance.  

So much more could be said about the ways Jesus models prayer for us. (Keep an eye out for the next post or two!)  But for now, I hope these broad strokes at least stir us to say as the disciples did long ago, "Lord, teach us to pray."