An aircraft pilot was following a major highway and observing the traffic below and one particular car caught his attention. The driver was attempting to pass a large truck, but because of oncoming traffic and no-passing zones, he was not able to pass safely. Over and over again, just as he would pull out, an oncoming vehicle would force him to retreat. The pilot, being able to see several miles down the highway, thought to himself, “If I could only talk to that driver, I could tell him when and where it is safe to pass.”
God, of course is like that, the ultimate Pilot, and his perfect knowledge is exactly what we need to guide our life. Prayer is how we talk to God, and as we learn to listen to his responses, we will find the guidance we seek.
But, like anything else in life, we can mess up something as profound and beautiful as prayer. Many have prayed properly, and have seen God move in tremendous power as He heard and answered those prayers. On the other hand, others have prayed out of wrong motives, and have received nothing in answer to their requests.
Jesus’ disciples had learned that He was a Master at the art of prayer, and they wanted to know how to pray. So they sought help for their prayer life.
Shall we, too, not enroll our names in Jesus Christ’s School of Prayer?
Martin Luther, the Father of the Protestant Reformation, said, “As it is the business of tailors to make clothes, and cobblers to mend shoes, it is the business of Christians to pray.”
That is your business, and it is my business. Prayer is not an option; it is an obligation. It is how we connect and communicate with our Lord and so we need to ensure that we are as proficient and as committed to prayer as possible. And there is no better teacher than Jesus himself.
Need some help in the prayer department? Ask Jesus. In James 1:5 it says
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”. He wants us to know more than we want to know, so if you struggle with prayer, talk to Jesus about it and He will direct you.
by Corville Peters
