March 1
In Luke 11:2, Jesus began to teach His disciples to pray. This means Jesus agreed that the disciples needed to learn how to pray. He confirmed that prayer is not automatic; it must be learned.
When a person becomes a believer, he is usually told, “Read the Word, go to church, and pray.” Yet many people don’t realize that these things don’t necessarily come naturally. We must learn how to study the Word, how to function in the body of Christ, and how to pray. A new believer who has never prayed may be told, “Just talk to God and tell Him how you feel.” That sounds good—but that’s not what Jesus taught His disciples.
Prayer is not just “talking to God.” I used to teach that, and I used to pray that way, but nothing happened! I had to learn what Jesus taught His disciples before I could pray effectively. If you have difficulty praying, don’t be discouraged. Many people don’t really understand prayer. They may whoop and holler when they pray, or they may use fancy words, but that doesn’t mean they are praying correctly. Remember that Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words [“much speaking” KJV]. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8). Many churches and religious groups have “much speaking.”
However, it is not noise that gets God’s attention, nor is it how loudly we pray or even the big words we use. There is a way we are to pray, and it has to be learned.
Prayer:
Father, I don’t want to use meaningless words to speak with You. Teach me how to pray as You taught the disciples. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Thought: Jesus modeled a lifestyle of prayer.
Reading: Numbers 23–25; Mark 7:14–37
-Daily Power And Devotional
When You Pray… - Myles Munroe
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