"Lord, teach us to pray..."

Prayer is considered by most people

to be

a personal thing.

It is interesting that

Jesus was careful to teach His disciples

two very specific approaches to prayer…

Prayer Approach #1:  In Secret

“But you, when you pray,

go into your inner room,

close your door,

 and pray to your Father who is in secret,

and your Father who sees what is done in secret

will reward you.” 

~Matthew 6:6

Prayer Approach #2:  Together

 “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.]’”

~Matthew 6:9-13

Hmmm…

Out of curiosity,

I began noodling among several other passages of Scripture

which specifically address or demonstrate prayer.

Psalm 5:2 is a very personal form of prayer,

including “crying out” and “groanings”,

displaying Prayer Approach #1

Philippians 4:6 is addressed to “brethren”

and “will guard your hearts and minds” (plural),

so is definitely Prayer Approach #2

Although I Peter 3:7 is directed toward husbands (plural),
each husband is encouraged to apply Prayer Approach #1

for his own wife

In Matt 14:23, the act of retreat, for the purpose

of being alone to pray, identifies Jesus Himself

as applying Prayer Approach #1

James 5:12-18 provides several scenarios

highlighting the effectiveness of prayer

as both Prayer Approaches #1 and #2 are accomplished

Thank you, Lord,

that not only do You hear me when I pray,

but You are glorified

as the hearts of Your people are knit together in prayer.

~ae