Pen & Psalm · Reading plans

Guided reading plan · 7 days

Learning to Pray

Deepen your prayer life through 7 days of biblical teaching on how to talk with God.

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The journey, day by day

Each day pairs a Scripture reading with its historical context, connections across the Bible, a short prayer, and journal prompts to write through.

  1. Day 1 The Lord's Prayer
    Matthew 6:5-15
  2. Day 2 Ask, Seek, Knock
    Luke 11:1-13
  3. Day 3 Prayer and Thanksgiving
    Philippians 4:4-7, Colossians 4:2-6
  4. Day 4 The Prayer of Faith
    James 5:13-20
  5. Day 5 Pouring Out Your Heart
    Psalm 62, Psalm 142
  6. Day 6 The Spirit Helps Us Pray
    Romans 8:22-30
  7. Day 7 Pray Without Ceasing
    1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Inside day one — a sample

Scripture · Matthew 6:5-15

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 6:9-10 · KJV

Historical context

Jesus taught this prayer in response to His disciples' request: 'Lord, teach us to pray.' He didn't give them a formula to recite mindlessly, but a pattern to follow. Each phrase addresses a different aspect of our relationship with God—His holiness, His kingdom, our daily needs, our need for forgiveness, and our need for protection.

Scripture connections

This prayer appears in both Matthew 6 and Luke 11, showing its importance in early Christian teaching. The phrase 'Our Father' was revolutionary—while Jews knew God as Father of the nation, Jesus invited individuals into intimate family relationship. Paul echoes this in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, where believers cry 'Abba, Father.'

Why this day matters

We begin learning to pray by learning from the Master. This prayer isn't meant to limit our prayers but to expand them—giving us categories to pray through: worship, surrender, dependence, confession, and spiritual protection.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Journal prompts

  • Why did you choose this reading plan? What do you hope to learn about prayer?
  • What does it mean to you to call God "Father"?
  • Which part of the Lord's Prayer do you most need to focus on in this season?

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