Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 11:1

"And it came to pass, as he was praying in a certain place, that when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, even as John also taught his disciples." — Luke 11:1 (ASV)

It seemed to this disciple as if he did not know how to pray after he had heard Christ pray. The prayer of Jesus was so infinitely above anything that he had ever reached that he said, "Lord, teach us to pray"; and, as if he felt that he needed a precedent for asking such hallowed instruction, he said, "Teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."

We must all feel that if we are to pray properly, we must be taught of God, by his Holy Spirit. We are full of infirmities, and if there is any time when our infirmities are felt most, it is when we engage in prayer, but the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as are ought (Romans 8:26).

Let us, then, breathe this prayer to our great Teacher, "Lord, teach us to pray."