The Highest Work

Luke 11:1 KJV

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.

I am struck by the fact that both John and Jesus gave instructions in prayer. It comes to me that teaching people to pray may be the most important work we do. To give instructions that encourage prayer and that help to give biblical sense to those prayers is weighty indeed.

Barnes says we may learn from this:

·         That the gifts and graces of others should lead us to desire the same.

·         That the true method of praying can be learned only by our being properly taught. Indeed, we cannot pray acceptably at all unless God shall teach us how to pray.

·         That it is proper for us to meditate beforehand what we are to ask of God, and to arrange our thoughts, that we may not come thoughtlessly into his presence.

And the Pulpit Commentary remarks:

THE HIGHEST FUNCTION OF A RELIGIOUS TEACHER. "Lord, teach us to pray.

·         Not to instruct in sacred truth, high as that is, enlightening the mind on the greatest of all subjects.

·         Not even to cause disciples to meditate on their spiritual condition, and to consider how they are themselves affected by the truth they have learned.

·         But to lead to God in direct and immediate devotion: the teacher or religious friend who helps another to unburden his heart in prayer to God, to pour out his spirit in submission or in dedication to the Divine Savior, is rendering the highest possible service one human being can render to another.