Lord, teach us to pray

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Twenty Seventh Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Lk 11:1-4*

*First Reading : Jon 4:1-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10*

*Lord, teach us to pray*

*1) Context of the expression*

The disciples had seen Jesus praying — often alone, in silence, sometimes all night. 

They noticed how His face, His words, His actions, and His peace flowed from that prayer.

They realized that prayer was the secret of His power and intimacy with the Father, and they wanted to share in that same relationship.

So their request, “Lord, teach us to pray,” was not just a desire to learn a formula, but to learn His way of life — to pray as He prayed, to love as He loved, and to live as He lived.

*2) Meaning and Significance*

*A) A humble recognition of need*

The disciples admit: “We don’t know how to pray as we should.”

True prayer begins with humility — the awareness that we need God even to reach out to Him.

*B) Desire for relationship, not ritual*

They had seen many formal prayers in Jewish life, but what they saw in Jesus was different — it was personal, intimate, and living.

They wanted to know not just what to say, but how to be with God.

*C) The longing to be like Jesus*

In asking, “Teach us to pray,” they were really saying:

“Teach us to have your heart, your trust, your closeness to the Father.”

Prayer is the path to becoming like Christ.

*D) Prayer as discipleship*

To be a disciple is to walk in the Master’s way.

When Jesus prays, He models the life of a disciple who depends on the Father for everything.

Asking to learn prayer is asking to learn dependence and communion.

*3) Jesus’ Response — The Lord’s Prayer*

In response, Jesus gives them the Our Father, which is not only a set prayer but a model of how to pray:

“Father” — intimacy and trust.

“Hallowed be your name” — reverence and worship.

“Your kingdom come” — surrender to God’s plan.

“Give us our daily bread” — confidence in providence.

“Forgive us” — humility and mercy.

“Deliver us from evil” — reliance on God’s protection.

Thus, the Lord’s Prayer becomes the school of Christian prayer — short, simple, yet containing the essence of faith, hope, and love.

*4) Reflections on “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”*

*A) Prayer is Learned by Seeing and Doing*

The disciples learned to pray by watching Jesus pray.

We too learn to pray by being with people of prayer — in the Church, in families, in silence.

Prayer is “caught” more than “taught.”

*B) Prayer Is a Relationship*

Jesus teaches that prayer is not magic or manipulation, but a relationship with a loving Father.

When we pray, we are not informing God but transforming ourselves — aligning our hearts with His will.

*C) Prayer Requires Perseverance*

After teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus adds parables about persistent prayer (the friend at midnight, the widow and the judge).

He teaches that God delights in our trust, not in our perfect words.

*D) The Holy Spirit — The True Teacher of Prayer Jesus concludes:*

“How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” (Lk 11:13)

The Spirit helps us to pray when words fail, making our hearts cry, “Abba, Father.”

So, the real answer to “Lord, teach us to pray” is the gift of the Holy Spirit within us.

*5) Application Today*

We live in a noisy, hurried world — many talk to God but few listen.

“Lord, teach us to pray” means: teach us to slow down, to listen, to be still.

Families and communities need to rediscover shared prayer — in homes, schools, and workplaces.

Each time we say this request, we renew our desire to deepen our friendship with God

*6) Summary Thought*

“Lord, teach us to pray” is the disciple’s humble confession that prayer is not our achievement but God’s gift.

It means:

Teach us to seek the Father’s face.

Teach us to listen more than speak.

Teach us to trust, to surrender, and to love.

The greatest answer to that prayer is not new words, but a new heart — a heart that prays always.

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*