Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray
Month 8: Talking with God — The Praying Family · Bible Story
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 6:5–9 & Luke 11:1
5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. 9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. — Matthew 6:5–9
1 One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” — Luke 11:1
Memory Verse
“So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”— Matthew 6:9 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Jeremiah 1–3
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (God calls young Jeremiah to be His voice.)The Heart of It
The disciples watched Jesus do many amazing things. He healed the sick. He calmed storms. He fed thousands. But one day they asked Him to teach them just one thing. They said, "Lord, teach us to pray" (). They saw that prayer was the secret well behind everything else Jesus did. And they wanted in. Jesus didn't hand them a magic chant. He didn't give them a long list of fancy words. He warned them not to pray just to be seen by people. He warned them not to pile up empty phrases, as if God were impressed by how long they talked (). Prayer isn't a performance. And it isn't a vending machine.
Then Jesus gave them a beautiful, simple pattern. It begins, "Our Father in heaven." Just two words in, and already we learn the most important thing about prayer. We are talking to a Father who already loves us. He's not a stranger we have to win over. Jesus is showing us that prayer is real conversation with a real, near, caring God. We don't earn His ear by being loud or long-winded. We come because we are His children. And a good Father loves to hear His children's voices.
Around the Table
Jesus taught us how to talk to God. We get to call Him "our Father"!
Let's do it: Fold your hands and say together, slowly: "Our Father in heaven."
Jesus said don't pray just to look good. And don't use lots of empty words. God listens to your heart, not your word count.
Let's talk: Why do you think the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray?
The Lord's Prayer is a pattern to learn from. It's not just words to recite. Notice that it starts with God before it ever gets to us. It begins with "Father" and "Your name."
Let's go deeper: When you really believe you're talking to a Father, not a boss, what changes about prayer?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could ask Jesus to teach you just one thing, what would it be? The disciples chose prayer!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
How do we know Jesus actually taught this? It's written down in more than one Gospel. Both Matthew and Luke record it. They wrote within living memory of the eyewitnesses who walked with Him. That's the kind of early, repeated testimony that historians trust most.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Notice what Jesus does not do here. He doesn't give a technique to manipulate God or guarantee outcomes. He gives a relationship. The opening word, "Father," reframes everything. Prayer flows from sonship, not from striving. Your kids will learn how to pray largely by hearing you pray. So let them hear you talk to God the way a beloved son talks to a good dad: honest, unhurried, unimpressive. Resist the temptation to make family prayer sound polished or "spiritual." The home where Dad prays simply and often raises children who believe God is genuinely approachable.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Family Devotional.
Let's Pray Together
"Father in heaven, thank You that we can come to You as Your children. Teach our family to pray, just like You taught Your disciples. We love You. In Jesus' name, amen."
Prayer is not a performance. It's a child talking to a Father who loves to listen.