“Teach Us to Pray” — Rediscovering the Gift of Prayer in Everyday Life

When the disciples came to Jesus with a simple request—“Lord, teach us to pray”—they weren’t asking for a new religious ritual or poetic phrases to impress others. They were longing for connection. With God. With hope. With something deeper than what the world could offer.

In Luke 11:1–13, Jesus responds not with a lecture, but with a prayer—a model that has echoed through the centuries:

“Our Father in heaven…”

It’s intimate. It’s bold. It’s rooted in trust. And it turns our attention away from performance toward relationship. Prayer, as Jesus teaches, isn’t about perfect words or spiritual credentials. It’s about coming to God as children come to a loving parent—curious, hopeful, honest, even persistent.

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, we are entering a season where prayer isn’t just a Sunday morning activity—it’s the heartbeat of our community. In a world of constant noise, Jesus invites us into quiet trust. In a culture of instant answers, He invites us to ask, seek, knock. And in a time of uncertainty, He promises that God—like a good and generous Father—delights in giving us not just what we want, but what we need.

So what does that look like here in La Crosse? It looks like confirmation students learning to pray from the heart. It looks like neighbors gathering to lift each other up. It looks like you, taking a breath before dinner or bedtime, remembering that God hears you.

This upcoming month of August, we invite you to take Jesus’ words personally. Try starting your mornings with the Lord’s Prayer—not as a routine, but as a re-centering. Try writing down one thing you’re asking God for each day. Try praying out loud with your kids or your spouse or your friend. And above all, trust this: when you pray, God listens. God answers. God draws near.

Because our Father is not distant. He is generous, present, and full of grace.

So go ahead. Ask. Seek. Knock. God is already at the door.