Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/89

Contributor - Will Kroon

Title - Lord, Teach Us To Pray

Topic - Prayer

It all happened about thirty odd years ago. My friend and I were invited for dinner by a Mennonite family who lived on a farm near- Stouffville, Ontario. When everyone had arrived at the table each member of the family knelt on the floor behind their chairs. After a moment of silence the farmer prayed aloud asking God's blessing on our meal and for a blessed fellowship with us as guests.

Seeing this family pray as well as hearing the prayer of that farmer made a real impression on me. It touched my heart. I was touched by its simplicity, its spontaneity and by something which I find difficult to put into words.

Seeing people pray can trigger all sorts of feelings in us. 'nat was also the case with the disciples of our Lord. Seeing Him pray did something to them. They noticed that prayer was important to Him. They sensed that He communes with His heavenly Father through prayer. They perceived that Prayer was for Him a time of sharing, a time of struggling, a time of being with the Father. Yes, for Him, it -was even a means of receiving direction and guidance for the road ahead.

Seeing the Lord pray touched them so much that one day they asked: "Lord, teach us to pray."

That simple request of the disciples tells me that there is much about prayer that can be learned. I am not thinking here about people who still want to know the ABC's about prayer. No, I am thinking about people who have been praying all their lives. as was the case with the disciples. They knew how to pray. Prayer was taught in all Jewish homes. The Jews took prayer seriously. It was customary for them to keep regular times for prayer both at home as well as in the temple. They knew how to pray but when they saw Christ pray they realized that even they could still learn much about prayer.

The request: "Lord teach us to pray" speaks to many a person today. It speaks especially to those whose prayer life has become monotonous and dull as well as to those who get the feeling that they are out of touch with the living God. When we experience such moments of spiritual barrenness we can suddenly and unexpectedly be touched by seeing or hearing the prayers of others. Even when we feel spiritually in tune with God we can be touched by seeing prayer in action. For instance, some years ago I felt blessed when one day I saw an elderly grandmother kneeling in Church with two grandchildren beside her. There was something about her devotion to God that touched me deeply.

How did Jesus respond to the disciples request? Well, He not only taught His followers the Lord's Prayer with all its depth, meaning and wonder; lie also instructed them to be steadfast and immovable in their prayer life. He taught them to keep on praying even when they felt God was no longer listening to them. This latter concern He often reinforced by stressing: keep on seeking, asking and knocking on heaven's door.

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