Books have been written about this simple prayer. I attended a 3 day seminar devoted to it, and sat through an 8 week sermon series based on it. Entire seminary courses have been taught on these words; they have much to teach about the principles of prayer. But let’s remember: first and foremost this is a prayer—a prayer that Jesus taught us to pray.

As a teenager, I was told those who pray the Lord’s Prayer are guilty of “vain repetition.” (This by a pastor who prayed the same prayers over the offering and before the invitation 52 weeks year.) As an adult, I’ve learned that the greatest impediment to my spiritual life is not vain repetition, it is stubborn resistance. Too often, I don’t pray nearly enough.

In my quest to learn to pray, two things have become clear.

First, prayer is a profoundly complex mystery that we tend to over-simplify.
Second, prayer is a profoundly simple process that we tend to over-complicate.

Jesus didn’t teach his disciples about prayer, he taught them to pray. This is because you learn to pray by praying. It’s the same process for a child or a college professor; for a peasant or a president; for a new believer or a spiritual giant. You talk to God.

It’s something anyone can do. You begin by saying the words Jesus taught us to say, and you continue by sharing your heart with God throughout the day.

The more I pray, the less extravagant my sermons on prayer become. This is one subject we don’t need to approach academically. We need to make sure that we understand—and we teach to others—what Jesus taught us about prayer: you learn to pray by praying.

When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.
(Luke 11:2-4)