Teach me, and I will be quiet.

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. … And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

They called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made.

Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” … But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. …  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. … You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. … You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. … The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low.

Lord, teach us to pray.

Jo 6:24; Ec 5:2, Mt 6:7-8; 1Ki 18:26; Lu 18:10-11, Lu 18:13-14, Mt 23:12, Lu 1:52, Ps 18:27, Ez 21:26; Lu 11:1

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.