More than all the other Gospel authors, Luke writes about the prayer life of Jesus.  There are 22 references to Jesus’ prayer life in the gospel starting with His baptism (Luke 3:21) to His prayer on the cross that the crucifixion soldiers should be forgiven (Luke 23:34).  This evangelist-author was not one of the disciples surrounding Jesus, so he gained his information from interviews with eye-witnesses (Luke 1:1-4).  It was as though he asked, ‘What most impressed you about Jesus?’, and got the answer, ‘He was always praying!’  

We know that although Jesus prayed at times of crises, it was a normal part of His daily routine (Luke 5:16) - sometimes in public, often in private.  But such prayer times were obviously different from the prayer formulas of the rabbis, and much more like that of John the Baptist.  There was an intimacy with God which was profound, personally affecting the person who prayed.  There was the deep satisfaction of relational two-way communication, which contrasted with the pompous piety of religious leaders who thought God was more interested in a repeated formula of words (Matthew 6:5-8).

Although the disciples heard His public prayers, some of which are recorded for us, they wanted to know what prayer was all about, and how to do it.  They wanted to be like Jesus and to benefit from the intimacy with Father God as He did. They took their opportunity to ask the question after He returned from a favourite spot where He had been praying.  His example and discipline had impressed them, and they wanted to learn the secret of His relationship with the Father.

Today, many might envy the prayer life of a godly person, but think that it is not possible to become intimate with God themselves.  Others might have drifted from that close relationship and feel diffident about coming back.  So, Jesus' lessons in how to pray are as valuable now as then.  He opens up God's royal route to the centre of His heart, and encourages us to 'get real' with Father God who loves us.  However, some have lost that appetite.  Perhaps your example in the workplace Christian Fellowship or local Bible Study group is an opportunity for them to see godly people in prayer, to hear their requests and to witness God's answers.  So, first be refreshed in your own prayer life and then allow others to be stimulated in theirs.