Lord Teach us to Pray

On Monday, we read from the gospel according to Luke, and there, Jesus taught us about who a neighbor is. He gave an example by using the story of the good Samaritan. Our Lord Jesus is talking about action, a positive one at that which will lead to love.

Immediately after that scenario was the incident that happened in the house of Mary and Martha yesterday. Now that Jesus had taught about action, Martha thought it wise to welcome the master, by being hospitable as much as possible. However, Jesus’ visit to these sisters was another lesson to learn on its own. Jesus’ answer to Martha yesterday shows that prayerful listening to the words of Christ is of utmost importance.

Today, the disciples then approached Jesus after they saw him pray and made this request: “Teach us how to pray”. This request is in itself a valuable prayer. Put in another way it could mean, Lord help me to pray; Lord pray within me. The disciples recognized that if they were to pray they would need the Lord’s help. Prayer is not just a human activity; it is the activity of the Lord in us through the Holy Spirit.

Are you finding it difficult to find your footing in prayers? Are you lacking words with which to communicate with God? Like the disciples just say: Lord, help me to pray; Lord pray within men.

Peace be with you.