II. This request of the disciples is _a confession of ignorance_. “Teach us to pray,” said the disciples. Prayer was a necessity to them. But _how_ were they to pray? What were they to _pray for_? These disciples felt that there might be a right and a wrong way of praying; that there might be a right and a wrong in the things prayed for. And they judged rightly. Prayer is the key to the treasure house of God, but it will lie useless in man’s hand until he is shown how to use it. So here comes the Confession of Ignorance, “Lord, teach us to pray.” “We know not how, nor what to pray for—Thou must show.” “Teach us to pray!” Teach us _how_! for there is a right and wrong of praying. Man _must_ pray—he cannot help himself. But how he blunders in his attempts at prayer sometimes. Look at the Hindoo cutting and maiming himself! Look at the Mongol with his praying machine! Ah, yes, man needs to be taught _how_ to pray. I think the disciples wanted to know what I may call without irreverence the “etiquette” of prayer. “Wherewithal shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the High God?” that was their difficulty. They knew not how they were to enter into the presence of the great King. If a man wishes to be presented to the King, he must obey all the formalities of Court etiquette, and to many that seems rather a formidable task. Perhaps these disciples thought there were equal difficulties in the way of approach to the throne of the Heavenly grace. They wanted to know the etiquette of God’s court. “Teach us to pray. We know not how.” Do we need an intermediary at the throne? Do we need to be introduced to Him that sits thereon? By what name shall we address Him? “Lord, teach us to pray. We know not _how_.” And here Jesus instructs their ignorance. “You need no intermediary, go boldly to that Throne yourselves; you need no introduction to Him that sits thereon—He knows you, calls you by your name; address Him not as King, Judge, Lord—call Him Father.” It was in answer to their confession of ignorance that Jesus taught His disciples _how_ to pray.