How do We Pray?

He was praying in a certain place, and when He had finished, one of Hus disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught His disciples."
He said to them, "Whenever you pray, say:
Father, Your name be honoured as holy. Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us.
And do not bring us into temptation." Luke 11:1-4

Now, if you were Jesus, when would you teach your disciples to pray? In fact when would you instruct them about the importance of prayer? I would have thought it would have been one of the first lessons. Jesus  Himself did not bring it up, the disciples did. Interesting!!!

The disciples wanted to know how to pray because of two things: John the Baptist's followers already had been taught and secondly they saw Jesus praying. Human nature is such that it wants to be sure it is not missing out.

I love the simplicity of this prayer: Father I want to honour Your name as Holy, I don't want to use it as a swear word; I want Your will and not my own. Please provide for my needs and please forgive me all my mistakes and I WILL forgive those who sin against me and please don't lead me into temptation, I am quite capable of getting there myself.

The very thought of having to pray that God would not lead me into temptation amazes me, yet this is Jesus telling His disciples how to pray. How would God lead me into temptation? If I allow Him to lead me, I know I walk past where temptation dwells and I have to make a choice. Can praying this prayer prevent this? I know we get ourselves into tight spots all the time, we are very good at getting into trouble, if praying this pray prevents all the others then it is worth it. Why don't we try it?

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