When it comes to carrying a good attitude into a class (including the class of prayer), nothing will help you more than seeing the value of the class. In my last post, I told you about a French class I took in high school. Now let me tell you about another class from my days of academia.

In college my major required me to take an introductory class into the application of computers. At that time, computers were just on the brink of taking over the world, and my college was wise to mandate a basic class in how to use them. But to a young man who was still equating the electronic typewriter with advanced technology, such a class seemed at best optional and at worst unnecessary. I thought, “Good grief, it’s not like I’m ever going to work at NASA!”

So, as I had done with my high school French class, I began that computers class with a low level of enthusiasm. Since I had made it that far in life without relying upon computers, I figured that I could keep up that archaic pace. Little did I know that over the next few years computers would become nothing less than standard operating equipment for living in the modern world. I’m sure that when homes first began to be wired for electricity there were people who chaffed at the idea and couldn’t envision a home life void of lanterns and candles. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time, I wasn’t acting much differently as I sat in that computers class.

Perhaps, Christian, you are guilty of a similar mindset in regards to learning to pray. You are asking yourself, “Since I’ve made it this far in my life praying the way I pray, why should I change anything now?” At the risk of hurting your feelings, let me say that your attitude makes as much sense as my attitude toward that computers class. Whether you admit it or not, you need to learn how to pray more effective prayers. If you don’t learn how to pray ideally, you will forevermore be out of step with the times God has for you. Metaphorically speaking, you’ll be using lanterns and candles while others are enjoying the power of electricity.

Actually, though, my guess is that the majority of people would readily agree to the value of a class on prayer. With the exceptions of atheists and agnostics, most people would love to learn how to harness the power of prayer. The problem is that relatively few people are willing to put in the necessary work to excel in such a class. You see, learning how to pray takes work.

But let’s assume that you are willing to put in the work to learn how to pray better prayers. How, then, should you go about that work? As is the case with virtually any class, there is a textbook for the class on prayer. That textbook is the Bible. If you want to learn how to pray the best prayers you can pray, you must learn what the Bible teaches about prayer. This means you should study not only the Bible’s great passages on prayer but also the Bible’s great examples of prayers. To get started, seven of those great passages are: Psalm 66:18-19; Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1-13; John 14:13-14; Romans 8:26-27; Philippians 4:6-7; and 1 John 5:14. Likewise, seven of those great examples are found in: 1 Samuel 1:1-18; 2 Kings 20:1-7; 2 Chronicles 20:1-12; Daniel 9:1-19; Jonah 2:1-10; Matthew 26:36-44; and Luke 18:9-14.

So, Christian, are you ready for your class to begin? If you are, then make today the day you start devoting deep Bible study to the topic of prayer. And don’t forget that you must go into the class with a good attitude, see the value of the class, and put in the work to excel in it. If you will do these things, I promise you that nothing can stop you from learning how to pray prayers that produce manifested results in your life. Remember, the same Jesus who heard His disciples say, “Lord, teach us to pray” stands ready to be your teacher as well. His class is always in session and you can enroll in it anytime. As for what grade you make, well, that depends upon you. But don’t ever doubt that Jesus wants you to pass with the highest marks.