In today’s gospel Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them to pray, just as John has taught his disciples:
“Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Their request doesn’t come because they don’t already have lives of prayer. It comes from having seen Jesus at prayer and recognising that he has something they lack and desire. Jesus teaches them what has become the “Our Father”.
While we don’t need specific words or formulas to be able to pray today’s gospel reminds us that they can be valuable. There are times in life when we need to pray, and want to pray, the struggles we face leave us unable to articulate our prayer.
At times like that a recognised and familiar form of prayer can be a real support, reminding us that we are held in God’s presence even if we don’t have the words to express our needs or desires.
That can be a very uncomfortable position to be in. Our society expects us to be in control, it encourages us to deny our neediness and vulnerability. So having to admit to needs we cannot satisfy, to ask for help can feel like a failure.
Jesus reminds us that this is not the way of the kingdom, saying to his disciples:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
Our loving God invites us to be vulnerable in God’s presence, encourages us to ask for what we need and delights in us when we find the courage to do that.
Where are you being invited to be vulnerable in God’s presence today?