Teach Us to Pray

Jesus  was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:1-13 

Teach Us To Pray

We are bent in anxiety and strain

our toil has taken it's toll

nodding off instead of listening

falling into darkness instead of prayer.

The world is dark and fragile

wet leaves swirl around our heads

our thin blankets paper like in the wind

we hope to make it through the night.

O Lord how do the homeless and outcast pray?

when the world steps over and ignore us

when we are shunned and dispersed

sent away from away from the groaning talbes.

Lord teach us to pray when the tide rises

when hate becomes normal and fear abides

when the deep bitter cold swirls round and round

and when we have no breath left to sing.