“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’” (Luke 11:1)

The Lord Jesus prayed alone, although He was surrounded by His disciples. He taught them to pray and prayed forthem, but we never read that He had a prayer meeting with them, or that they talked to God in His presence. Even in Gethsemane, where He told them to watch and pray, He then withdrew from them about a stone’s throw to pray alone (Luke 22:41). It is also with regard to prayer that the following applies, “You have one teacher, and you are all brothers”(Mt. 23:8). His relationship with the Father as the only Son is and remains unique (see John 1:14)!

He never prayed to be seen by men. But His prayer life could not remain hidden. This is why it is said, “Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him” (Luke 9:18). He wasn’t shy, nor was He embarrassed to pray in the presence of others. On the other hand, how difficult it is for many Christians to pray before eating when they know that unbelievers will see them doing so. It must have deeply impressed the disciples to see their Master praying so often. “Lord, teach us to pray” is therefore then their prayer (Luke 11:1).

In addition to the so-called ‘Lord’s prayer,’ which we can not literally adopt for our time, but from which we can derive important principles with regard to our prayers, the Lord Jesus has given us other valuable guidance for our prayer life. Here are a few suggestions to think about:

• Withdraw to be alone with God. Close one door here in order to enter heaven through another— figuratively speaking; “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Mt. 6:6).
• Pray with faith—without doubting—in the firm expectation of receiving something; “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).
• Pray with boldness and urgency. Show God that you are serious and that the matter is important to you; “He said to them, ‘Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves” … I tell you… knock’” (Luke 11:5–9)!
• Pray with perseverance and don’t give up! Pray until you get an answer; “He told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).
• Pray for those who mock you or persecute you in other ways (Gen. 21:9; 4:29); “Pray for those whopersecute you” (Mt. 5:44).
• Forgive your neighbor and don’t be bitter against him when you go into prayer; “Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone” (Mark 11:25).
• Pray in the knowledge that God is your Father and that you now have the wonderful privilege of coming before the Father in the name of His Son— with His authorization—to ask Him for some- thing; “Until now you have asked nothing in my Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full… for the Father himself loves you” (John 16:24, 27).

There are excellent books on the subject of prayer that encourage us to pray. But reading books doesn’t turn us intopraying believers. You can read the best books on the subject of swimming, and yet remain a non-swimmer all your life. You learn to swim in water—you learn to pray on your knees!

Is the disciples’ prayer request in Luke 11:1 also your earnest prayer? To what extent do you strive to put the teachings about prayer in the Word of God more into practice in your prayer life?