Teaching Others to Pray

Although instructional components are involved, I think that competency in prayer comes more through practice than through formulaic adherence. It’s true that Jesus “taught” His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:5-13;Mark 11:24-25;Luke 18:1-14). But it’s also true that He modeled prayer more than He pontificated about it (Matthew 14:23;19:13;26:36-46;Mark 1:35;6:46;Luke 3:21;5:16;9:18,28-29;John 17).

It seems to me that if we are going to follow the model of Jesus, pedagogy in prayer is more about modeling than it is about lecturing. You teach by doing. People learn to pray by listening, watching, and experiencing prayer. While it is true that the Holy Spirit is the best teacher (Romans 8:26-27), it is also true that we pastors must take up the challenge to teach God’s people to pray (1 Timothy 2:8).

One of the coolest parts about growing up in my little country church inWest Virginiawas “family handshake and prayer” time. Now I have never been anywhere else where this kind of prayer time was a regular part of worship, although I have been told that it is prominent in some sections of the Korean church.

In this expression of worship, all the congregants gather up front around “the altar” for prayer. After singing and greeting one another, prayer requests are taken and then everyone “leads out in their own prayer.” At this invitation to “lead out . . .” everyone begins to pray, all praying out loud and at the same time.

It may sound like utter chaos, but it’s not. It is, in its own way, very beautiful. This is where I learned to pray. As a boy, I would stand in different places during the greeting time and then situate myself near people so I could hear them pray. Some were loud and some were quiet. Some were eloquent and others halted or brash. But every time we were together as a body of believers, God’s people would pray and I would listen.

I can still remember Uncle Henry’s booming prayers and Mr. Sayer’s respectful worship. Uncle Henry taught me boldness, and Mr. Sayer taught me reverence. Slim taught me intimacy. Aunt Helen taught me what it means to really intercede, and Carl taught me to call God “Father” and really mean it.

All of these dear saints are now in glory, but they all left their mark. They all taught me to pray. Who taught you to pray? Where did you learn? Are you teaching others? What are some things you have learned about prayer over the years?