Lord, Teach Me to Pray

Lord teach me to pray,

Not merely the how but the why—

For I so easily forget prayer’s necessity

Here in the soul-choking fog of my self-satisfaction.

Lord, teach me to pray,

Not only its duty but its direness—

For I so often succumb to a peacetime mentality,

Blind to the bullets and bombs of sin exploding around me.

Lord, teach me to pray,

Not just its privilege but its purpose—

For I am so prone to be moved by selfish desires

When it is only Your will and kingdom You’d have me seek.

Lord, teach me to pray,

Not as recreation but as labor—

For I mustn’t treat intercession as a game or a pastime

When I’ve seen you in Gethsemane sweating drops of blood.

Lord, teach me to pray,

Not conveniently but continually—

For my need of Your saving, sanctifying, sustaining grace

Will not end until the presence of sin is banished forever.

I need You, Lord…

O teach me to pray.

MNA

November 5, 2011