You are here
I don't know how to pray
Many people stop praying because they think they are doing it wrong. The disciples had the same problem: they watched Jesus pray and asked him to teach them. He did not give them a technique; he gave them words to say to their Father.
Thus therefore shall you pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9 · Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
Awaiting theological review
What Jesus teaches
- Direct
Summary of Matthew 6:9–13
He gave his disciples a prayer that begins: “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” - Direct
Summary of Matthew 6:6–8
He told them to pray in secret and not to multiply words, because the Father knows what they need before they ask. - Direct
Summary of Luke 18:1
He told a parable so that they would pray always and not lose heart.
What Christian tradition learns from this
Tradition & devotion
What Jesus did
- Direct
A whole night of prayer
Luke 6:12–13- What Jesus experienced
- A decision ahead: choosing the Twelve.
- What Jesus did
- He went up the mountain, passed the whole night in prayer to God, and in the morning chose them.
- Direct
Early in the morning
Mark 1:32–35- What Jesus experienced
- A crowded evening of healing in Capernaum, with the whole town at the door.
- What Jesus did
- Rising very early, he went out to a desert place, and there he prayed.
- Direct
Lord, teach us to pray
Luke 11:1–4- What Jesus experienced
- His disciples, who had watched him praying, asking him to teach them.
- What Jesus did
- He gave them the Our Father.
Someone who walked this road
- Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (of Lisieux)Historical context
She described prayer as something very simple: a glance towards heaven, a cry of gratitude and love, in trial as in joy.
Explore connections → - Saint Teresa of Jesus (of Ávila)Historical context
She taught that prayer is friendship: spending time alone with the one we know loves us.
Explore connections →
Pray
Lord Jesus, teach me to pray. I do not always know what to say. Take my few words, my silence and my distractions, and make them a conversation with your Father. Amen.
Written for cento53 as a simple personal prayer — not a liturgical text.
One thing to do today
Pray the Our Father once, very slowly, stopping after each line to say it again in your own words.
- What would you say to God if you were sure he was listening?
- When in your day could you have two quiet minutes?