Jesus, teach us to pray.

Jesus gave his disciples instructions on how to pray. Simple instructions, but important.

This sermon explores the deep spiritual practice of how to pray by reflecting on the Gospel of Luke and Jesus’ commitment to prayer before pivotal moments. It emphasizes that prayer isn’t just words—it’s a relational connection with God, rooted in the Trinity and powered by the Holy Spirit. By centering ourselves—whether calling God "Father," "Papa," or even "Holy"—we awaken to our identity in Christ and align our lives with divine purpose.

Key elements of effective prayer include:

• Unifying with God’s mission, as seen in Ordinary Time teachings
• Asking for daily spiritual sustenance: “Give us this day our daily bread”
• Embracing forgiveness, modeled on Christ’s mercy
• Avoiding spiritual trial through trust and continual return to prayer

The sermon reinforces that when we pray from a place of unity, asking becomes powerful. Prayer isn't linear—it’s cyclical. Ask, search, knock, forget, return, and pray again. This repetition invites the Holy Spirit into every stage of the journey, sustaining believers through trials and guiding them back to divine connection.

📌 Perfect for seekers of a Christian sermon on prayer, Trinity-centered devotion, and understanding the purpose of prayer in discipleship.

This sermon was preached on the 7th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 12C) on July 27, 2025, by the Rev. Theresa Newell. It was at Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, Washington.