Here’s a simple yet powerful lesson in the school o f prayer
Teach Us to Pray
B y A ndrew M urray
T he disciples had been with Christ, and seen Him pray. They had learned to under stand something of the connection between His wondrous life in pub lic, and His secret life of prayer. They had learned to believe in Him as a Master in the art of prayer — none could pray like Him. And so they came to Him with the request, “ Lord, teach us to pray.” And in after years they would have told us that there were few things more wonderful or blessed that He taught them than His lessons on prayer. And now still it comes to pass, as He is praying in a certain place, that disciples who see Him thus engaged feel the need of repeating the same request, “ Lord, teach us to pray.” As we grow in the Chris tian life, the thought and the faith of the beloved Master in His never- failing intercession becomes ever more precious, and the hope of be ing like Christ in His intercession gains an attractiveness before un known. And as we see Him pray, and remember that there is none who can pray like Him, and none who can teach like Him, we feel the petition of the disciples, “ Lord, teach us to pray,” is just what we need. And as we think how all He is and has, how He Himself is our very own, how He is Himself our life, we feel assured that we have but to ask, and He will be delighted to take us up into closer fellowship with Himself, and teach us to pray even as He prays. Come, my friends! Shall we not go to the blessed Master and ask
Him to enroll our names too anew in that school which He always keeps open for those who want to continue their studies in the Divine art of prayer and intercession? Yes, let us this very day say to the Master, as they did of old, “Lord, teach us to pray.” As we meditate we shall find each word of the peti tion to he full of meaning. “ Lord, teach us to pray.” Yes, to pray. This is what we need to be taught. Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that the feeble child can pray, yet it is at the same time the highest and holiest work to which man can rise. It is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy One. The powers of the eternal world have been placed at its disposal. It is the very essence of true religion, the channel of all blessings, the secret of power and life. Not only for ourselves, but for others, for the Church, for the world, it is to prayer that God has given the right to take hold of Him and His strength. It is on prayer that the promises wait for their fulfillment, the kingdom for its com ing, the glory of God for its full revelation. And for this blessed work, how slothful and unfit we are. It is only the Spirit of God can enable us to do it aright. How speedily we are deceived into a resting in the form, while the pow er is wanting. Our early training, the teaching of the Church, the influence of habit, the stirring of the emotions — how easily these lead to prayer which has no spir itual power, and avails but little. True prayer, that takes hold of
God’s strength, that availeth much, to which the gates of heaven are really opened wide — who would not cry, Oh for someone to teach me thus to pray? Jesus has opened a school, in which He trains His redeemed ones, who specially desire it, to have power in prayer. Shall we not enter in with the petition, Lord! it is just this we need to he taught! O teach us to pray. “Lord, teach us to pray.” Yes, us, Lord. We have read in Thy Word with what power Thy believ ing people of old used to pray, and what mighty wonders were done in answer to their prayers. And if this took place under the Old Cove nant, in the time of preparation, how much more wilt Thou not now, in these days of fulfillment, give Thy people this sure sign of Thy presence in their midst. We have heard the promises given to Thine apostles of the power of prayer in Thy name, and have seen how gloriously they experienced their truth: we know for certain, they can become true to us too. We hear continually even in these days what glorious tokens of Thy power Thou dost still give to those who trust Thee fully. Lord! These all are men of like passions with our selves; teach us to pray so too. The promises are for us, the powers and gifts of the heavenly world are for us. O teach us to pray so that we may receive abundantly. To us too Thou hast entrusted Thy work, on our prayer too the coming of Thy kingdom depends, in our prayer too Thou canst glorify Thy name:
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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