And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
This verse opens the passage where Jesus teaches what we now call the Lord's Prayer. Jesus had just finished praying privately when one of his twelve disciples — the men who followed him most closely — approached with a simple but honest request. John the Baptist was another well-known teacher at the time who had his own group of followers, and it was common practice for Jewish teachers to give their disciples a signature prayer as a kind of shared spiritual identity. The disciple's request reveals something quietly striking: watching Jesus pray made them realize they didn't really know how. Even for people walking alongside Jesus daily, prayer wasn't automatic.
Lord, I admit I don't always know how to pray — or even where to start. Like the disciples, I'm asking you to teach me. Not just the words, but the posture, the trust, the willingness to show up honestly before you. Be patient with me as I learn. Amen.
There's something quietly humbling about the fact that the disciples — men who had watched Jesus heal the sick, calm storms, and feed thousands — looked at him praying and thought, "I have no idea how to do what he's doing." They weren't asking for more miracles. They were asking for the thing that seemed to fuel all of it. Maybe you know that feeling. You've been a Christian for years — or maybe just months — and prayer still feels clunky. Like leaving a voicemail for someone you're not sure is listening. Here's the good news buried in this verse: the disciples asked. They admitted the gap honestly, openly, without embarrassment. And Jesus didn't rebuke them. He taught them. Your honesty about not knowing how to pray isn't a sign of weak faith — it might be the most honest prayer you've offered in a long time. The door is still open. You can still ask.
What do you think the disciple noticed about the way Jesus prayed that made him want to learn — what might have looked different about it?
How would you honestly describe your own prayer life right now, and what feels most difficult or awkward about it?
Is it possible to follow Jesus closely and still not really know how to talk to him? What does that tension reveal about the nature of faith?
How does the quality and honesty of your prayer life affect the people around you — your family, your close friends, your community?
This week, what is one small, concrete step you could take to actually practice prayer rather than just thinking about doing it better?
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
James 4:3
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:12
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14
Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:2
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jude 1:20
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:27
It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples."
AMP
Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
ESV
It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.'
NASB
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
NIV
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
NKJV
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
NLT
One day he was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, "Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
MSG