mber that there is none who can pray like Him, and none
who can teach like Him, we feel the petition of the disciples,
'Lord, teach us to pray,' is just what we need. And as we think
how all He is and has, how He Himself is our very own, how He is
Himself our life, we feel assured that we have but to ask, and He
will be delighted to take us up into closer fellowship with
Himself, and teach us to pray even as He prays.

Come, my brothers! Shall we not go to the Blessed Master and ask
Him to enrol our names too anew in that school which He always
keeps open for those who long to continue their studies in the
Divine art of prayer and intercession? Yes, let us this very day
say to the Master, as they did of old, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'
As we meditate we shall find each word of the petition we bring
to be full of meaning.

'Lord, teach us _to pray_.' Yes, _to pray_. This is what we need
to be taught. Though in its beginnings prayer is so simple that
the feeble child can pray, yet it is at the same time the highest
and holiest work to which man can rise. It is fellowship with the
Unseen and Most Holy One. The powers of the eternal world have
been placed at its disposal. It is the very essence of true
religion, the channel of all blessings, the secret of power and
life. Not only for ourselves, but for others, for the Church, for
the world, it is to prayer that God has given the right to take
hold of Him and His strength. It is on prayer that the promises
wait for their fulfilment, the kingdom for its coming, the glory
of God for its full revelation. And for this blessed work, how
slothful and unfit we are. It is only the Spirit of God can
enable us to do it aright. How speedily we are deceived into a
resting in the form, while the power is wanting. Our early
training, the teaching of the Church, the influence of habit, the
stirring of the emotions--how easily these lead to prayer which
has no spiritual power, and avails but little. True prayer, that
takes hold of God's strength, that availeth much, to which the
gates of heaven are really opened wide--who would not cry, Oh for
some one to teach me thus to pray?

Jesus has opened a school, in which He trains His redeemed ones,
who specially desire it, to have power in prayer. Shall we not
enter it with the petition, Lord! it is just this we need to be
taught! O teach us to _pray_.

'Lord, teach _us_ to pray.' Yes, _us_, Lord. We have read in Thy
Word with what power Thy