LORD, teach us to pray

I had an epiphany yesterday while teaching.

After reading the scripture, telling the story and showing the story grid again. I say again because I have studied this passage and taught it many times. 

As clear as day, there it was as I looked at my storyboard for Luke 11. In the moment when the disciples asked Jesus to teach them "to pray" Jesus provides in these eleven short verses the care of the whole person body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit.

1. In grid one, I show Jesus kneeling and praying. This is the physical model. Prayer engages our BODY.

2. In grid two, When Jesus teaches what to say He engages the mind. He provides the model for what to say. Prayer will engage the MIND. Jesus provides a process.

3. In grid three, Jesus tells a story. This is where He illustrates prayer must engage the HEART. Jesus provides us the reminder to have the passion to persist.

4. In grid four, we see Jesus illustrates that the SOUL must be engaged. Good soul talk will lead to faith as we ask, seek, and knock. Unless the soul believes and moves forward in the prayer of faith there will not be answers.

5. In the last grid, we see that Jesus shows us that the gift of the SPIRIT is given by the Father when we pray. We can trust God to bless us with His Spirit.

I was undone.

Of course, God would want the whole person engaged. So as I ponder the disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray, I am blessed to see Jesus revealed the wholeness of prayer through engaging the body, mind, heart, soul, and spirit. 

Shameless Audacity: Lord, teach us to pray! (Luke 11:1)

"LORD, teach us to pray!" (Luke 11:1).

I remember the first time I read this verse and thought, "Well, if the LORD can teach them to pray. He can teach me, too."

I started boldly and confidently asking God in my young 20's to teach me how to pray. Honestly, I was a broken mess, but I wanted to honor God and do His will.

Today, as I study this passage about the disciples learning how to pray, I am caught by the phrase "shameless audacity in the NIV." 

When I look at the order of what Jesus said about prayer, I notice two things I must never forget.  Prayer starts with worship and a kingdom mindset. We must get this right!  

Worship Him! 

       Our Father, holy is Your Name.

Kingdom Mindset! 

       Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

THEN our bold confidence can be shameless and audacious because it first begins with the right mindset. 

Shameless audacity has been translated in so many ways...

Persistent

Impudence

Importunity

The Bible Stock Exchange suggests that this type of prayer is willing to disturb the peace. It ignores the cultural consideration and puts our friends and neighbors in the awkward situation of having to save face. 

The cool part is that with God, I can go without shame with this boldness because HE LOVES TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS and THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Again, here is the crux. This is not for us to get what we want. Prayer is a relationship that is full of worship and kingdom mindedness. Then it flows from a holy mindset.  We will discover that what we need to talk about will have the good and pleasing will of God. It will be full of forgiveness, repentance, and a righteous pursuit. This becomes the most important sustenance and nourishment for our daily bread.

Yes, LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY! Show us how to approach You with shameless audacity that is actively seeking You to receive and know Your good and perfect will. In Jesus' name, amen