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Learning to pray

A Bible route for reading and practicing prayer.

1. 1. Jesus teaches how to pray - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:5-8

   ⁵ “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward.

   ⁶ But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

   ⁷ In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.

   ⁸ Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus challenges prayer performed for an audience and the belief that many words compel God to listen.

   Reflect

   • How does Jesus describe prayer that does not try to impress other people?

   Put it into practice

   Pray privately in simple words about a real concern.

   Next lesson →

2. 2. The Lord’s Prayer - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:9-13

   ⁹ Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

   ¹⁰ Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

   ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

   ¹² Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

   ¹³ Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The prayer joins honoring God with daily needs, forgiveness and protection; its plural language includes the community.

   Reflect

   • How does this prayer invite us to think about other people too?

   Put it into practice

   Pray each petition with another person in mind too.

   Next lesson →

3. 3. Persevering in prayer - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Luke 11:5-13

   ⁵ He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,

   ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’

   ⁷ and he from within will answer and say, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you’?

   ⁸ I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.

   ⁹ “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.

   ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

   ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he?

   ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he?

   ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus encourages asking in trust in the Father’s goodness; the conclusion emphasizes the gift of the Holy Spirit.

   Reflect

   • What does Jesus teach about the Father’s goodness when we ask for help?

   Put it into practice

   Present a request and ask for wisdom in responding.

   Next lesson →

4. 4. Praying in distress - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Philippians 4:6-7

   ⁶ In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

   ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul invites requests with thanksgiving; peace is described as guarding the heart, not guaranteeing easy circumstances.

   Reflect

   • How does peace differ from having no problems?

   Put it into practice

   Write a request and a thanksgiving; seek support when needed.

   Next lesson →

5. 5. Prayer with gratitude - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 4:2

   ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects persistence, attentiveness and thanksgiving; sustained prayer remains awake to real needs.

   Reflect

   • How can gratitude accompany an unanswered request?

   Put it into practice

   Write one thanksgiving beside a continuing request.

   Next lesson →

6. 6. Praying for one another - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 5:16

   ¹⁶ Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Confession and prayer appear as communal practices; the passage calls for mutual care rather than exposing others’ private matters.

   Reflect

   • How can we pray for one another while respecting trust and privacy?

   Put it into practice

   Ask a trusted person how you can pray for them.

   Next lesson →

7. 7. Jesus prays in Gethsemane - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 26:36-46

   ³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”

   ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.

   ³⁸ Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”

   ³⁹ He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

   ⁴⁰ He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?

   ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

   ⁴² Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”

   ⁴³ He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

   ⁴⁴ He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

   ⁴⁵ Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

   ⁴⁶ Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus names his distress and asks for companionship before the cross; his prayer expresses honesty and surrender, not indifference to suffering.

   Reflect

   • What does Jesus ask of the disciples as he prays?

   Put it into practice

   Offer practical companionship to someone facing a difficult night.