Luke 11

Scripture Focus:
“He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’”
— Luke 11:1 (NRSVUE)

Reflection

In Luke 11, we hear one of the simplest and most profound requests ever spoken: “Lord, teach us to pray.”

The disciples had seen Jesus heal, teach, and perform miracles—but what captured their hearts was how He prayed. They noticed that His power and peace flowed from His connection with the Father. And so they asked, “Teach us.”

Jesus responds not with mystery but with simplicity:
“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name…”

In a few short lines, He gives us a framework for a life of prayer—one rooted in relationship, dependence, forgiveness, and trust. It’s less about saying the right words and more about living in rhythm with God’s heart.

Advent invites us into this same posture. In a season filled with noise and hurry, prayer becomes a holy pause—a way to center our hearts on what matters most. Each time we pray, we make space for God to shape us, soften us, and remind us that we are never alone.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
Teach us to pray—not only with our words,
but with our lives.
When we are restless, teach us to be still.
When we are anxious, remind us to trust.
When we are weary, draw us near to Your heart.
Let our prayers rise like candles in the night,
illuminating the darkness with Your peace and presence.
Amen.

Practice

Set aside a few quiet minutes today to pray slowly through the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:2–4).
Don’t rush the words—pause after each phrase.
Let the rhythm of the prayer shape your breathing and still your spirit.

If you can, return to the prayer several times this week.
Each time, listen for one word or phrase that stands out to you,
and carry it with you as your breath prayer throughout the day.

Copyright © 2025 Ronda Welander