The best way to learn almost anything in life is by doing it. Instructions and guidance from others can be very beneficial. The example of the successful efforts of others can be inspiring. Sometimes the most valuable and memorable lessons are learned because we initially fail in our attempt at something. Failure while attempting to do something is far greater than being utterly successful at doing nothing! Prayer is much the same. Prayer is as much a process as it is an act. Those who have the most spiritual, effective prayer life are usually the ones that have invested the most time, energy and effort along the way.

We might say to someone that appears to really be struggling in life, “Maybe if you prayed more your life would improve.” They might well respond, “I have been praying. You should have seen me before!”

The Bible is filled with valuable lessons and examples of prayer. Here Jesus gives a concise, simple, yet powerful “model” prayer. We need not use an overabundance of words. We are not to pray to impress others. I once heard it said that when we sing until our voice gives out... then we begin to praise. Perhaps there is a parallel to that when it comes to praying. When we pray until our tongue gives out, we then begin to pray from our heart, our mind and our spirit. It is not the eloquent, polished, well-rehearsed but mindless communication that most evokes the Lord’s help. It is the heartfelt, struggling utterance of one who has come to realize their total dependence on God that rallies the forces of heaven in response to our cries (Rom. 8:26-27). Perhaps it would be correct to conclude that it is not the quantity of our words... or even the quality (by man’s standards) of them... but the genuineness of them that is paramount.