Once upon a time Jesus was praying and the guys who followed him around were watching him. They saw the look upon his face. They saw the something in his aching body. And they looked at each other and they wanted what he had.
Peter spoke up, “I’ve read the best books but I still don’t know how to pray.” John said, “Never mind books, I’ve listened to the best guru’s but I still don’t know how to pray.” “Well,” Matthew added, “books and guru’s are OK but I’ve been to the best workshops and I still don’t know how to pray.”
Jesus was distracted by their wrangling and got up from his prayer to face them. “What’s up now?” he asked. Peter spoke up immediately, “Teach us to pray!” The other all echoed his words. “Teach us how to pray!”
“Is that all? Just say this … ‘Look God … these are the things we need … food, forgiveness, and a father.’”
Silence. Waiting. The sound of breathing. Finally Peter spoke up, “Well I’ve read about prayer of petition … but what about real prayer?” “Yes,” John said, “what comes after the kiddy stuff? Teach us that!” And Matthew, trying to be helpful, prompted Jesus, “You know … meditation, contemplation, centering, focussing … How do we really pray?”
“Oh,” said Jesus, “you want the advanced prayer methods. Well that’s quite a lot harder to explain.” Their eyes lit up. Lips were licked. “Are you sure you are ready? OK! Well in 30-odd years of careful prayer and study I’ve developed the perfect technique. It can be learned with enough discipline and effort—though, I have to warn you, not everyone has the requisite mental clarity and emotional purity to completely master the methodology. Ready? Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. And say, ‘Look God … these are the things we need … food, forgiveness, and a father.’”