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Jesus’ disciples begged Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) In this moment, Jesus gave the world what has come to be known as “The Lord’s Prayer.”

Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed by Thy Name
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done
On earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil. Amen.

A beautiful, simple prayer. A staple of Christianity around the world.

As we approach Lent, let us be mindful of what else Jesus said about prayer in that conversation with His disciples. He proposed the story about one of them having a friend to whom he goes at midnight to ask for 3 loaves of bread. Key in Jesus’ set-up of the story is the word, “friend.” We don’t go to strangers in times of need. We go to friends – people we know and trust – people with whom we are in relationship. In today’s self-sufficient culture, we have forgotten how to ask for help.

Another key in Jesus’ story is “3 loaves.” Why three? Why did He not say simply, “…lend me some bread…”? The lesson here is to be specific in our prayer. While Jesus does certainly know our needs, the instruction to be specific in our prayer is for our benefit. Jesus wants us to rely on Him. Once again, rather contrary to the cacophony in our world that convinces people they don’t really need anyone else. Jesus also spoke about persistence. In His story to the disciples, he described the friend’s response at that midnight hour, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.” (Luke 11:7) Jesus goes on to instruct His disciples about the need for persistence in prayer. “I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.” (Luke 11:8) Friends know one another. They know when to be serious and when to be light-hearted. Friends know when a friend is in need. Friends also know the importance of asking and giving. If a friend does not respond to a first request, the friend will certainly respond to a second request.

This “friendship” described by Jesus in Luke’s gospel story paints the relationship Jesus wishes to have with us. Friendship with Jesus is holiness, and the language of that friendship is prayer. The vocational call we receive in the Sacrament of Baptism is the call to personal holiness. It both precedes and undergirds any other vocational call we discern in life.

Lent is the perfect time to deepen our friendship with Jesus. Jesus' call to holiness - our first vocation - is an invitation to friendship. Make time daily to share part of your day with Him. Talk to Him. To do so is prayer. Ask Him for what you need, as you might ask your next-door neighbor. To do so is prayer. Jesus went on to say, “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Have you knocked on Jesus’ door today?