Talking with God

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by: Gene Ziesel

09/26/2025

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In Luke 11:1, a disciple observes Jesus praying and is moved by the intimate and powerful nature of his conversation with God. He asks, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." This request isn't about a religious ritual but about developing a personal relationship with the divine. For us, like the disciples, the journey of prayer is a quest for deeper intimacy with our Heavenly Father. 
It takes us from ritual to relationship: before Jesus, prayer was often seen as a formal, ritualistic act. The disciples, observing Jesus retreat to quiet places for deep communion with God, longed for that same vibrant connection. The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught in response, is not just a script to recite but a model for genuine conversation with God. It invites us to address God as "Father"—an intimate, personal term that was radical at the time.
In essence, prayer is a sincere, child-like dialogue built on trust.
This model prayer provides a straightforward pattern for our personal conversations with God. We are encouraged to:
Praise Him: Start by revering God and His holiness ("Hallowed be your name").
Align with His will: Submit to His divine purpose and ask for His kingdom to come into our lives ("Your kingdom come").
Depend on Him: Present our daily needs to God with humble, childlike trust ("Give us each day our daily bread").
Seek forgiveness: Confess our sins and, in turn, forgive others ("Forgive us our sins").
Seek protection: Request strength to resist temptation and evil ("Lead us not into temptation").
Often, we overlook the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer. In the verses following this prayer, Jesus promises that our heavenly Father will "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit is the true answer to the disciples' request. The Spirit is the one who enables and empowers us to have a deep, conversational life with God, transforming us from the inside out.
Just as a child speaks to a loving parent, we can talk with God, sharing our needs, praising His goodness, and trusting in His care. Prayer isn't about getting the words or formula right; it's about opening our hearts to the God who is always ready to listen and respond.
Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting us into a genuine and close relationship with you. Like your disciples, we ask that you teach us how to pray. Still our souls so we can listen for your voice. Give us the courage to speak boldly and the humility to trust in your perfect will. Help us view every conversation with you as a precious privilege. Amen.
Lord, teach us,
Gene
Because Life Begins at Calvary
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In Luke 11:1, a disciple observes Jesus praying and is moved by the intimate and powerful nature of his conversation with God. He asks, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." This request isn't about a religious ritual but about developing a personal relationship with the divine. For us, like the disciples, the journey of prayer is a quest for deeper intimacy with our Heavenly Father. 
It takes us from ritual to relationship: before Jesus, prayer was often seen as a formal, ritualistic act. The disciples, observing Jesus retreat to quiet places for deep communion with God, longed for that same vibrant connection. The Lord's Prayer, which Jesus taught in response, is not just a script to recite but a model for genuine conversation with God. It invites us to address God as "Father"—an intimate, personal term that was radical at the time.
In essence, prayer is a sincere, child-like dialogue built on trust.
This model prayer provides a straightforward pattern for our personal conversations with God. We are encouraged to:
Praise Him: Start by revering God and His holiness ("Hallowed be your name").
Align with His will: Submit to His divine purpose and ask for His kingdom to come into our lives ("Your kingdom come").
Depend on Him: Present our daily needs to God with humble, childlike trust ("Give us each day our daily bread").
Seek forgiveness: Confess our sins and, in turn, forgive others ("Forgive us our sins").
Seek protection: Request strength to resist temptation and evil ("Lead us not into temptation").
Often, we overlook the role of the Holy Spirit in our prayer. In the verses following this prayer, Jesus promises that our heavenly Father will "give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke 11:13). The Holy Spirit is the true answer to the disciples' request. The Spirit is the one who enables and empowers us to have a deep, conversational life with God, transforming us from the inside out.
Just as a child speaks to a loving parent, we can talk with God, sharing our needs, praising His goodness, and trusting in His care. Prayer isn't about getting the words or formula right; it's about opening our hearts to the God who is always ready to listen and respond.
Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting us into a genuine and close relationship with you. Like your disciples, we ask that you teach us how to pray. Still our souls so we can listen for your voice. Give us the courage to speak boldly and the humility to trust in your perfect will. Help us view every conversation with you as a precious privilege. Amen.
Lord, teach us,
Gene
Because Life Begins at Calvary
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