Lord Teach Us To Pray

God has called us to pray. The Hebrew word for “pray” (palal) clearly implies a conversation and focuses on mediation. The Greek words for “pray” (euchomai, proseuchomai, erotao) each indicates the action of presenting a request. To pray is to ask as part of a dialogue. Jesus’ prayer pattern makes it clear that this dialogue occurs in a familial relationship with the One who is at the same time the universe’s almighty transcendent God and the Christian’s personal immanent Father. But for what are we asking in prayer? The Lord’s Prayer teaches us to discuss God’s holiness and kingdom, our acceptance of His will, our regular neediness, forgiveness given and received, and God’s leadership in our lives. In other words, we ask about every important aspect of this life and the life to come.