He Showed Us How to Pray When We Don’t Know How

Bill Perkins

A Heavenly Santa Claus

As a boy, I didn't know much about prayer.
I didn't grow up in a Christian family
and imagined God
as a kind of heavenly Santa Claus —
an old man with superpowers,
there to fulfill my wishes.
I'd plead for help on a test,
a win in baseball,
or a ten-speed bike at Christmas.

Before eighth grade,
I had never prayed
with another person.

Memorizing Eloquence

That changed
when a friend invited me
to a prayer meeting
with some Christian students.
I don't remember why he asked,
but I went mostly to impress
a brown-eyed girl
he said would be there.

Because I didn't know what to say,
I found a book of prayers
and memorized a paragraph
that sounded especially churchy.
Something like:
"Our most benevolent heavenly Father,
we, Thy simple servants,
beseech Thee,
as the omnipotent sovereign
over all creation,
to hear our humble prayers."

Even now,
I'm amazed I memorized the whole thing.
And still remember it.

Genuine Prayer Sounds Like a Child

As the words left my lips,
I cracked my eyes a sliver
to see how impressed everyone was.
Especially the girl.
My friend caught me peeking
and gave me a look
that said, "What are you doing?"

I figured he was just jealous.
He didn't use words
like benevolent
or omnipotent when he prayed.
He didn't drop "Thee" and "Thou"
like I did.

I left that prayer meeting
feeling impressed with myself.
But looking back,
I realize my friend knew something
I hadn't yet learned —
genuine prayer
sounds like a child
talking with their Father.

His Pattern

Since then, I've studied many prayers
in Scripture,
especially those of Jesus.
Though we don't know exactly
what He said in solitude,
His public prayers
give us insight
into how He likely prayed alone:

— He began with heartfelt thanksgiving
(Matthew 11:25–27; John 11:41–42).
— He prayed for His friends
and followers
(John 17; Luke 22:32).
— He prayed for His enemies
(Luke 23:34).
— He prayed for Himself
(Matthew 26:36–46).
— He prayed for guidance
(John 5:20).
— He prayed
that His Father
would be honored
(John 17).