Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Learning How to Pray, Lesson One: Lord, Teach Us to Pray.

We're so glad you're here.

Where This Course Begins

Maybe you've been a Christian for years, and you wish your prayer life were deeper. Maybe you're brand new, and you honestly don't know where to start. Or maybe you've prayed before, and it felt like your words hit the ceiling.

Wherever you are, this course is for you. Over six short lessons, we'll walk through what the Bible teaches about prayer, using the Lord's Prayer and the prayers of scripture as our guide. We'll stay close to the King James Bible, and we'll keep it simple and honest.

Our Key Verse

Today's key verse is Luke 11:1.

"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." — Luke 11:1 (KJV)

Think about what those disciples had seen. They had watched Jesus heal the sick, calm the storm, and feed the hungry. They had heard Him teach like no one ever had. But what did they ask Him to teach them? Not how to preach. Not how to work miracles. They asked, "Lord, teach us to pray."

They had watched Him pray, and they wanted what He had.

And here's the encouraging part. Prayer is something we can learn. Those men were not experts. They were fishermen and ordinary working people. If you feel like a beginner, you're in good company.

Jesus Made Time to Pray

The Son of God Himself made prayer a priority.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." — Mark 1:35 (KJV)

If Jesus needed time alone with His Father, how much more do we?

Prayer Is Talking with Your Father

At its heart, prayer is simply talking with God. Jesus taught:

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." — Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

A closet here means a private room. A quiet place. Prayer isn't a performance for other people. It's a conversation with your Father. Notice that word, Father. If you have trusted Christ, you aren't coming to a stranger. You're coming to your Father, who loves you.

You Don't Need Fancy Words

Jesus went on:

"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." — Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)

God isn't impressed by long words or many words. Vain repetitions are empty words said over and over without the heart behind them. God wants honesty.

And notice, your Father already knows what you need. So why pray? Because prayer isn't about giving God information. It's about relationship. He wants to hear from you, the way a good father wants to hear from his child.

He Invites You to Call

God doesn't just allow us to pray. He invites us.

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." — Jeremiah 33:3 (KJV)

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth." — Psalm 145:18 (KJV)

He is near. Call upon Him in truth. Just be real with Him.

When You Don't Know What to Say

Sometimes we hurt so much, or we're so confused, that we don't know what to pray. The Bible has a promise for that too:

"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 (KJV)

Even when you have no words, God's Spirit helps you. A sigh, a tear, a whispered "Help me, Lord" is a real prayer.

Bring Him Everything

Here is the key verse of this whole course:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

In the King James Bible, "be careful for nothing" means don't be anxious about anything. Instead, bring everything to God. Big things and small things. And His peace will stand guard over your heart.

And because God is always near, prayer can be an all-day conversation:

"Pray without ceasing." — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Simple Steps for This Week

First, choose a quiet place and a time. Five minutes is a good start.

Second, use a simple pattern. Praise God for who He is. Thank Him for what He's done. Confess any sin. Then ask for what you and others need.

Third, keep a small prayer list. Write down names and needs, and watch how God answers over time.

And fourth, talk to God through the day. In the car, at work, while you wash the dishes.

Next Time

In Lesson Two, we'll look at the pattern Jesus gave us in the Lord's Prayer.

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." — Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

A Prayer

Let's pray together.

Our Father,

Thank You that we can come to You, not as strangers, but as Your children.

Lord, teach us to pray. Take away our fear and our fancy words, and help us to talk with You honestly. When we don't know what to say, let Your Spirit help us.

Give us a hunger to spend time with You, and fill our hearts with Your peace.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. We'll see you in Lesson Two.

This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.