When the disciples said to Jesus, as recorded in Luke 11:1, "Lord, teach us to pray," they were, for once, asking for the right thing...Anyone who tries to take up his cross and follow Jesus and does not learn how to pray is like a towing company that tries to move stalled cars with bicycles and ropes. If we rely on nothing but human power, the life Jesus calls us to is impossible.

On his or her own, not even the most stable, most healthy, most intelligent and most determined person can do it. Only as we are intimately connected with God through prayer will we find the forgiveness, strength, inspiration and direction needed to live the life Jesus described and expected of his followers. Prayer is not the only thing needed by disciples. It is just the most important thing... Much needs to happen in us and in our world, and it all starts with prayer. So we come to God and say, "Lord, teach us to pray."