How to Pray (according to Jesus)

Today's Scripture readings are all about prayer. Jesus tells us a parable that encourages us to pray with persistence and then stresses the good fatherhood of God, who loves it when we ask for things. In the first reading, Abraham boldly and persistently addresses his concerns and questions to God. But the highlight of the readings is certainly Luke's version of the "Our Father", which reminds us that God does indeed gift us with "memorized prayers", mercifully giving us the words to pray when we don't know what to say.