Lord, Teach us to Pray

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 17th Week - Sunday*

*Lord, Teach us to Pray*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 11:1-13*

*FIRST READING - Gn 18:20-32*

*SECOND READING - Col 2:12-14*

*1) Beautiful Request*

I feel, among all the requests made by the disciples of Jesus, *Lord Teach us to Pray* could be considered as the most beautiful and meaningful request from the disciples of Jesus

We like to learn many things in life, and learning is necessary to master any art

Prayer is one of the most important things in our life, which definately needs a training

Any perticular art, which is learnt through the proper channel has more value and depth than things learnt by without any proper training 

So this request is most beautiful request 

*2) How Jesus Taught His Disciples?*

There are many things involved here in the process of teaching them to pray 

*A) He taught them by giving them a model prayer*

While teaching His disciples to pray, Jesus was very practical in His approach

He gave them a model prayer and asked them to pray 

In other words we can say, Jesus taught them to pray, by praying itself 

*B) Jesus taught them the Spirit of Prayer*

In the Lord's prayer we hardly find words like *I* *Mine* *Me*

Instead of these words we have a powerful word *Our* and *Ours*

This perticular word highlights the spirit of Prayer. 

So we should pray other centred and not the self centred prayer 

*C) Jesus Taught them to pray, persistently*

In Jesus' method there is no holiday for prayer 

He asked them to pray all the time and especially at the time of trail and temptations

A prayer which is prayed repeatedly and continuously has more power than any other prayer 

*D) Jesus taught them to pray by Asking*

Jesus said *Ask you shall receive*

He taught them to ask with confidence with Heavenly Father 

Asking, seeking and knocking becomes the three important features of Jesus' method of prayer 

*3) The Abrahamic Method of Prayer*

In the First Reading of today we find a new method, which could be called as the Abrahamic Method 

This method is built on the foundation of Friendship with God, where prayer takes the role of a friendly conversation with God

This prayer also geared towards the benefits of others and not for the self 

Abrahamic method can help a person to pray for others and to save them from greater danger 

*4) Prayer in my Life*

Disciple felt the need of learning the method of Prayer. What about me? 

Disciples were inspired by looking at Jesus and the way He spent time in Prayer. Am I inspired by some one because of their prayer life. Can I become an inspirer to others? 

How much time do i spend in prayer? 

I can learn praying,  only by praying 

There is no short cut for learning how to pray 

Let Jesus be our model in praying 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*