The disciples wanted to be like their teacher. They were intrigued by the prayer life that Jesus was leading, so they soon asked him to teach them a lesson about this practice. His intention was to imitate him in the custom of praying.

The habit of prayer must be formed in a conscientious manner. Just as it takes willpower to get rid of a bad habit, discipline is also required to form a good habit. Those who do physical exercises regularly (or those who would like to do them) know that what they said before is true. We can easily get lost, unless we try hard and intend to do what is right.

Paul instructs us to pray without ceasing Jesus illustrated this principle with his own example of a life of prayer. A certain evangelist used to say that we should keep in mental communion with God.

It may be impossible for us to be in prayer every second of the day, but we can keep in mental communication with him. In our quiet moments, all we have to do is to resume our conversation with the Lord. We must not allow circumstances or our attitudes to interfere with our communion with God.

Have you ever tried to pray when you are angry with someone? Simply, you can not. You have to repent first to be in communion with the Lord. If we get used to this type of metal communion with God throughout the day it will be easier for us to have moments of prayer.

The disciples undoubtedly observed this surrender of their teacher to prayer. Whenever he was absent, everyone knew it was because they had gone to pray. Prayer was his way of life. Jesus did not expose himself to the pressure of his public ministry without first receiving the blessing and the strength of his father through prayer. Therefore, they begged him: Lord, teach us to pray.