The Gospel of Luke opens up a window into the prayer life of Jesus. In (Luke 5:16), we’re told that “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.”

In the next chapter, he “went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night” (Luke 6:12). In the ninth chapter, Jesus “left the crowds to pray alone” (Luke 9:18). Shortly thereafter, he “took Peter, James, and John up on a mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28.)

This lesson will focus closely on the prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Luke 11:1-4. In this way, we hope to gain and share a deeper insight into how to pray as followers of Jesus.

The prayer that Jesus taught his disciples in Luke is a shorter version of what we commonly call the “Lord’s Prayer” found in the Gospel of (Matthew 6:9-13).

Prayer is such a great benefit and enjoyment when we do it right.

In Matthew 21:22 (NIV) it tells us that the Lord made this promise. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

However, we know that this is not as simple as it sounds. There are conditions to enact these promises.

The first step in enacting these promises is knowing how to pray and to whom. So how should we pray? Have you ever heard the saying "practice what you preach?" Christ did not tell us to do something that he did not adhere to himself. In Luke 11:1-2, Christ taught that we should pray to “Our Father” who resides in “Heaven” (God).

The very act of prayer implies that the person who is praying considers the power to whom one is praying to as superior to oneself. Hence, by praying, a person implies that they are looking for help from a higher mind and intellect than one’s own self, as Jesus acknowledges (Luke 6:12; Matthew 26:39; John 14:28).

Communication

Communication is the foundation for success in any relationship. When we communicate openly and freely with each other, we learn to know each other as individuals. This principle also applies to our relationship with God. By talking to God, we learn more about who God is and what plan He has for us.

Prayer is a way to communicate with God directly. We do not have to go through anyone in order to speak with God. One of the most important jobs for us as a parent is to teach our children the skills they need in order to survive in this world. Teaching our children how to pray "effectively" helps them to understand who to pray to and that God is always accessible and always there for them.

When we think of prayer we usually think of asking God for something. Indeed, prayer often includes asking God for something but prayer also includes taking the time to listen for a response from God. In prayer, there is a time to speak and a time to listen. This is the balance of prayer. Faith is also another aspect of having an effective prayer life.

Spiritual Diet

We have all heard the expression “you are what you eat.” Food in the body is converted into energy and strength. It repairs the cells, fuels the body, and imparts the nutrients needed to sustain life.

Very seldom do we forget to eat. We generally eat two or three times a day because our bodies constantly remind us that we are hungry and have need of food. We would not dream of only eating once a week. Yet this is exactly what we do spiritually if the only time we study and pray is on the Sabbath.

When it comes to our spiritual diet, we must pray regularly.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) “Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Colossians 4:2 (NIV): “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”