Learn to Pray
By Allan E. McNabb

Once when Jesus had finished praying, one of His disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples” (Lk. 11:1).

Prayer is something we learn to do.  We’re not born knowing how to pray, nor do we automatically receive some mystic power to utter prayers when we obey the gospel.

What is Prayer?
There are several Greek words translated “pray” and “prayer.”  Some of them are also translated “beseech,” “beg,” “ask,” “implore,” “request,” “petition,” and “supplication.”

Generally speaking, prayer is communicating with God, worshipfully praising Him as we express our thoughts, needs, desires, wishes, and thanks.

Prayer: The Most Frequent Act of Worship
We engage in prayer more than any other worshipful act.  We pray more than we go to church, study the Bible, or do personal work.

Paul says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Th. 5:17).

Since prayer is a deeply spiritual way in which we worship God, it’s well worth our time to learn to pray, so we can do our best when we worship.

Power of Prayer
Besides worshiping God in prayer, we also petition Him to work in the lives of men, according to His will.

James says, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Ja. 5:16).  Therefore he tells us to pray when we are sick, and ask others to pray for us, especially the elders.

Knowing our prayers can result in God exercising His power in our lives, we’re greatly benefited by learning to pray.

Jesus Taught by Modeling
When a disciple asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He taught him by praying aloud.
“When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Give us each day our daily bread.  And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.  And lead us not into temptation’” (Lk. 11:2-4).

From Jesus’ example, we realize that modeling is one of the best ways to teach others to pray.

Likewise, we realize that listening to people pray is one of the best ways to learn to pray.

Imitation
Imitation is one of the best ways to learn.  It involves watching someone perform a task, then doing the same thing.

For example, the saints in Thessalonica learned how to live as Christians by imitating Paul, and learned how to be a church by imitating other faithful churches (1 Th. 1:6; 2:14).

When it comes to prayer, we learn how to pray by imitating Jesus, the apostles, and faithful brethren (1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Cor. 4:16; Heb. 13:7).  We listen to their prayers, then apply the information we glean to our prayers.

Vain Repetitions
When we imitate others in prayers, we have to be careful to understand what we’re doing.

Paul says, “What is the conclusion then?  I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.  I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Cor. 14:15).

Also, Jesus warned about vain repetitions, saying, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.  For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ” (Matt. 6:7).

The More You Pray. . . .
We derive many benefits from prayer.

The more you pray, the happier you’ll be.

  • God tells us to cast our anxiety on Him (1 Pet. 5:7).
  • Prayer is the easiest way to do this.

The more you pray, the more spiritual you’ll be.

  • “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).
  • Prayer helps us stay focused on heavenly things, and keep our minds off sin.

The more you pray, the stronger you’ll be.

  • “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (Ja. 1:5).  “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (Ja. 5:16b).
  • “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:16-17).
  • Regular, fervent prayer results in wisdom, and the strength that only God supplies.

Conclusion
When we pray, we worship God, communicating our thoughts, needs, desires, wishes, and thanks.  As a result, we have better, more fulfilled lives, as we sojourn upon the earth.