Who Taught you how to Pray, do you remember? Maybe you started when you were very young, and learned through observing your parents and saying daily prayer together. Maybe you grew up saying the rosary, or learned it for yourself the first time you started living away from home. Everyone has a different method they prefer for prayer. Many religious leaders do the liturgy of the hours, certain times through the day where you are supposed to stop and pray. I know for myself, it can be difficult to find a time of complete peace, but even in times where I'm stressed, or out for a run, or even laying in bed at night and my mimd wanders, it's the perfect time for a prayer. 

   Today's Gospel states:'He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation"'(Luke 11:1-4). 

   In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray, word for word. He teaches us the 'Our Father', reciting for us the most important facts and beliefs we need to be firm on, in our faith. It's one reason why doing the rosary can be so helpful, the constant repetition of what we believe can help influence us in everything we do. How do you pray? Do you really take the time to have a meaningful conversation with God during the day? Take some time in quiet and ask God to help you lead a better prayer life, just as Jesus taught us to do. 

   Today's prayer comes from 'beliefnet' a prayer when I can't pray:

God, I try to pray; words don’t come. I toss and turn and feel nothing. My mind is dry, my heart is dull, my soul longs for life. Hear my silent cry, my God, hear me. Let me not be a shriveled reed or an empty shell. Breathe on me and make me whole. Give me passion that I may love. Then shall my tongue praise your holy name with words I do not yet know. So be it. Amen.