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Lutheran Life 5 So what do we pray, and how should we say it? Certainly, there are many ways to pray and many words to use. But as we consider the topic of prayer, it's appro- priate to begin with how Jesus teaches His followers to pray. The good news is we're not alone in needing some instruction on prayer. Even the disciples had to ask Jesus for help learning to pray. Recorded for us in Luke 11:2–4 3 is a beautiful prayer which Jesus teaches to His disciples: Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is in- debted to us. And lead us not into temptation. When asked how to pray, Jesus gives us the Lord's Prayer. Have you ever considered Jesus's response to the disciples? We know Jesus didn't always answer the dis- ciples' questions with such explicit direction. He could have asked them a question in return or told them that it was not the right time to discuss the topic. But instead, Jesus invites the disciples—and us—into an intimate prayer addressed to His Father. Our Father. In considering the gift of the Lord's Prayer, Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola poetically writes: We're invited to praise God when we deserve to say only confessions of our sins. We're given hope of eternal deliverance when we deserve only wrath. We're asking for bread and forgiveness without any doubt that they will be given. Celebrate the bold maturity that's given to us in the prayer. With all our doubts and insecurities—or perhaps with great courage and joy—we join the disciples in asking: "Jesus, teach us to pray." Whether you pray the Lord's Prayer daily or can't remember the last time you truly let each petition sink in, I invite you to pause now and join our Savior in praying to our heavenly Father. w 3 Also see Matthew 6:9–13. 4 Daniel Paavola, Our Way Home: A Journey through the Lord's Prayer (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2017), 18. Study more of Rev. Daniel Paavola's insights to the Lord's Prayer in Our Way Home. Follow along with a free digital Bible study, CPHFaithCourses®, to enhance your learning beyond the page. Find this title and others from this magazine at cph.org/llresources. OUR WAY HOME Q&A with Rev. Dr. Daniel Paavola Q: Is there a petition of the Lord's Prayer you find yourself spending the most time lingering on or praying through? A: Yes, "Hallowed be Thy name" is the part where I pause. Think of the names by which God is called. Heavenly Father, Savior, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Friend of Sinners, Immanuel, Almighty God, and Good Shepherd. The list is almost endless. I certainly can't get through it in any saying of the prayer. But what strikes me is how each day brings certain names to the front. Today, I need the Wonderful Counselor because I'm facing a decision that confuses me. Yesterday, I needed the reminder that He is the Prince of Peace even though our world is anything but peaceful. Tomorrow, I'm not sure what will be most on my mind, but the Friend of Sinners is always good news. All the names are true and memorable. Each one brings a distinct image that is often the piece that is missing from the jigsaw puzzle of my day. Read more of Daniel Paavola's thoughtful answers on page 13.

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