When the disciples saw Jesus perform miracles, signs, and wonders, they recognized that these things flowed from His life of prayer. They asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
In "Prayer - Drawing Near to God," Duane Sheriff teaches that prayer is not about bargaining with God, nor should it be a last resort when everything else fails. Prayer is God’s means of relationship and partnership with us. Through the new birth, we are restored to God’s design to walk with Him, hear His voice, and partner with Him so that His will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
Jesus’ model of prayer is divinely designed to first turn our hearts toward our Father, His name, His Kingdom, and His will before turning to our needs, forgiveness, temptation, and deliverance. Prayer is something we learn, beginning with God’s priorities and presence, then moving to our requests and struggles.
Learning to pray does more than change how we talk to God. As we draw near, listen, and align our hearts with Him, prayer transforms our decisions, deepens our spiritual awareness, and helps us become more sensitive to His leading.