Can You Teach Me to Pray?
I had gone from one frantic prayer call to the next all day—dealing with the pain of hurting souls. Their challenges were real, and some were extreme. Nearing the end of the day, a caller arrested my attention with his simple request.
“Can you teach me to pray?” He asked sincerely, in a faltering voice that led me to believe he was a senior citizen. I repeated his request to make sure I understood correctly.
“Yes, sir. My name is Bill. I’m 77 years old and have some major junk in my life. I need to ask God for forgiveness, but there’s a roadblock of guilt stopping me. I have so much shame. I don’t feel worthy to pray. Please help me! Can you teach me to pray?”
His desperate plea needed a tender, but straightforward response. “Bill, God is available right now. He would love you to talk with Him. He is listening. Rather than copying someone’s prayer style, why don’t you just say what’s on your heart? Be vulnerable. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the words. You will be surprised by the words that come from your mouth.”
“No, JD, I don’t think I can do this.”
“Bill, this is not brain surgery—it’s just you and God, talking like friends. I know you can do this in His strength. I’ll start the prayer, then you follow His lead.”
I prayed, “Lord, thank You for inviting us to come boldly before Your throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace in our time of need. Thank You for the promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Thank You for telling us Your grace is sufficient for us, and your power is made perfect in our weakness.”
Bill stopped me, eagerly asking if I thought God would give him the strength to overcome his feelings of unworthiness to pray. “Most certainly,” I answered.
He inhaled and exhaled a deep breath. Then he began to talk to his Lord. Words so simple, yet so eloquent. His sincere and pointed plea brought tears to my eyes. I sensed God was breaking the chains that had bound him for years. When he said “Amen,” I asked how he felt.
“Wonderful! You will never know how special this time was to me. I’m starting a new journey in my life. Thank you, JD, thank you!”
“Bill, Jesus is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Lord and Master, and our God. He is your best friend. Talk to Him daily. Allow His love to engulf you, and you will be set free.”
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