If you could ask Jesus to teach you just one thing, what would it be?
That may sound like a huge decision. After all, Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, multiplied food, preached with power, and confronted darkness. If you had front-row access to all of that, what would be the one thing you’d ask Him to teach you?
The disciples had that kind of access. And what did they ask?
“Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)
Of all the things they could have chosen, they asked to learn how to pray. Not how to perform miracles or preach to thousands. Why? Because they saw something powerful and life-giving in the way Jesus connected with the Father. They didn’t just want the right words—they wanted to live in that same relationship.
Jesus Doesn’t Just Tell Us to Pray—He Shows Us How
Luke 11:2-4 records the model prayer Jesus gave:
Each line is more than a phrase—it’s a pattern for how to live a life of connection with God. Prayer isn’t just a spiritual routine. It’s a daily lifeline.
Worship and Surrender
Prayer begins with relationship. Jesus teaches us to call God “Father.” Not “Almighty Stranger” or “Higher Power”—but Father. The word Jesus uses is Abba, an intimate, childlike name. Romans 8:15 says, “...by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” That kind of closeness shifts everything.
Before we ask for anything, we begin by remembering who God is: holy, near, and in control. When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we submit to His will over our own. We aren’t trying to get God to sign off on our plans—we’re surrendering to His better ones.
Reflection: Do your prayers begin with worship and surrender, or stress and requests?
Dependence
Jesus teaches us to pray for what we need today—not tomorrow, next week, or next year. Just today. This reminds us of the Israelites in the wilderness, who were given daily manna and told not to store it up. Why? Because God wanted them to trust Him each day.
Whether it’s strength, peace, provision, or wisdom—God invites us to ask. And He delights in providing.
Ask yourself: What does “daily bread” mean for me today?
Application: Start a habit of bringing your needs—physical, emotional, spiritual—to God daily. Let prayer be the first response, not the last resort.
Restoration
We carry so much—guilt, shame, resentment. But Jesus makes forgiveness central to our prayer lives. We are invited to confess openly and receive grace freely.
1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us…” And Jesus calls us to do the same for others.
Challenge: Don’t just ask God to forgive you—ask Him to help you forgive others. Grace received should become grace given.
Reflection: Who do I need to forgive today? What do I need to bring into the light and confess?
Protection and Guidance
Jesus understands how temptation works. He faced it Himself. That’s why He teaches us to pray for strength and protection.
1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Prayer is how we stay strong—it’s how we say, “God, lead me today. Guide my thoughts. Guard my steps.”
Practical Step: Identify your weak points—anger, comparison, pride, distraction—and bring them to God in prayer. Ask for help before the temptation arrives.
So, What Would You Ask?
If you could ask Jesus to teach you one thing, consider following the disciples' lead.
Ask Him to teach you to pray—not just what to say, but how to live in a rhythm of trust, surrender, and connection.
Make prayer a regular part of your day:
Prayer isn’t about having perfect words—it’s about being perfectly honest with your Father who loves you. So why not begin today?
Just say, “Father…” and see where the conversation goes.
That may sound like a huge decision. After all, Jesus walked on water, healed the sick, multiplied food, preached with power, and confronted darkness. If you had front-row access to all of that, what would be the one thing you’d ask Him to teach you?
The disciples had that kind of access. And what did they ask?
“Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1)
Of all the things they could have chosen, they asked to learn how to pray. Not how to perform miracles or preach to thousands. Why? Because they saw something powerful and life-giving in the way Jesus connected with the Father. They didn’t just want the right words—they wanted to live in that same relationship.
Jesus Doesn’t Just Tell Us to Pray—He Shows Us How
Luke 11:2-4 records the model prayer Jesus gave:
“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
Each line is more than a phrase—it’s a pattern for how to live a life of connection with God. Prayer isn’t just a spiritual routine. It’s a daily lifeline.
Worship and Surrender
“Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.”
Prayer begins with relationship. Jesus teaches us to call God “Father.” Not “Almighty Stranger” or “Higher Power”—but Father. The word Jesus uses is Abba, an intimate, childlike name. Romans 8:15 says, “...by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” That kind of closeness shifts everything.
Before we ask for anything, we begin by remembering who God is: holy, near, and in control. When we pray “Your kingdom come,” we submit to His will over our own. We aren’t trying to get God to sign off on our plans—we’re surrendering to His better ones.
Reflection: Do your prayers begin with worship and surrender, or stress and requests?
Dependence
“Give us each day our daily bread.”
Jesus teaches us to pray for what we need today—not tomorrow, next week, or next year. Just today. This reminds us of the Israelites in the wilderness, who were given daily manna and told not to store it up. Why? Because God wanted them to trust Him each day.
Whether it’s strength, peace, provision, or wisdom—God invites us to ask. And He delights in providing.
Ask yourself: What does “daily bread” mean for me today?
Application: Start a habit of bringing your needs—physical, emotional, spiritual—to God daily. Let prayer be the first response, not the last resort.
Restoration
“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”
We carry so much—guilt, shame, resentment. But Jesus makes forgiveness central to our prayer lives. We are invited to confess openly and receive grace freely.
1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us…” And Jesus calls us to do the same for others.
Challenge: Don’t just ask God to forgive you—ask Him to help you forgive others. Grace received should become grace given.
Reflection: Who do I need to forgive today? What do I need to bring into the light and confess?
Protection and Guidance
“And lead us not into temptation.”
Jesus understands how temptation works. He faced it Himself. That’s why He teaches us to pray for strength and protection.
1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Prayer is how we stay strong—it’s how we say, “God, lead me today. Guide my thoughts. Guard my steps.”
Practical Step: Identify your weak points—anger, comparison, pride, distraction—and bring them to God in prayer. Ask for help before the temptation arrives.
So, What Would You Ask?
If you could ask Jesus to teach you one thing, consider following the disciples' lead.
Ask Him to teach you to pray—not just what to say, but how to live in a rhythm of trust, surrender, and connection.
Make prayer a regular part of your day:
- In the morning – to start with His presence (Psalm 5:3)
- In the evening – to reflect and rest (Psalm 63:6)
- In trouble – to find hope and strength (Psalm 50:15)
- In gratitude – to worship through thankfulness (Philippians 4:6)
- In decision-making – to seek wisdom (James 1:5)
Prayer isn’t about having perfect words—it’s about being perfectly honest with your Father who loves you. So why not begin today?
Just say, “Father…” and see where the conversation goes.