“Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name…”
Jesus directed His prayer to the Father. Paul tells us we can pray through the inspiration of the Spirit. The Trinity is found in every prayer, ‘How much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?’
We, like the disciple, ask the Lord to help us to pray and to pray better. We pray in response to the Spirit’s urging. We pray in many ways, with words, in silent meditation, and reflection, we pray with our hands in serving others. Jesus is ever-present to lead us, strengthening our prayer life.
When teaching someone how to swim we can tell them to close their mouths, kick their feet, move their arms and hold their breath. That’s teaching technique, but not swimming. They must enter the water and try. Prayer is no different. We learn to pray better by praying. Like swimming, we are refreshed and renewed by our experience.