Have you ever felt uncertain about how to pray or wondered if your prayers really make a difference?
In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus teaches us valuable lessons about prayer that can transform our approach to communication with God.
Background Context: Luke 11 opens with Jesus praying, prompting one of His disciples to ask Him to teach them how to pray. Jesus then gives them the model prayer, often known as the Lord’s Prayer, and follows it with teachings on persistence in prayer and the Father’s willingness to give good gifts to His children.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
Instruction about Prayer
1It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.”
2And He said to them, “When you pray, say:
‘Father, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
3‘Give us each day our daily bread.
4‘And forgive us our sins,
For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
5Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10“For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. 11“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12“Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Message: In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus provides profound insights into prayer:
- The Model Prayer: Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, emphasizing reverence for God, submission to His will, dependence on Him for daily needs, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from temptation (Luke 11:2-4).
- Persistence in Prayer: Jesus tells a parable about a friend who persists in asking for bread at midnight, illustrating the importance of persistence in prayer and God’s responsiveness to our persistent requests (Luke 11:5-8).
- God’s Goodness in Giving: Jesus assures His disciples that if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:9-13).
Summary Key Points:
- The Model of Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer serves as a guide for our prayer life, focusing on God’s glory, His kingdom, our daily needs, forgiveness, and protection from temptation.
- Persistence and Faith: Jesus encourages us to persist in prayer, trusting that God hears and answers according to His perfect timing and wisdom.
- Assurance of God’s Goodness: Our Heavenly Father desires to give us good gifts, particularly the Holy Spirit, who empowers us in our Christian walk and guides us in prayer.
Call to Action:
- Embrace Persistent Prayer: Commit to a life of persistent prayer, trusting in God’s faithfulness and His perfect timing for answering prayers.
- Dive Deeper into How to Pray: Read more – How to Pray Effectively
- Follow the Model Prayer: Use the Lord’s Prayer as a framework for your own prayers, focusing on God’s glory, His will, daily needs, forgiveness, and spiritual protection.
- Seek the Holy Spirit: Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit daily, empowering you to live according to His will and to pray with faith and expectancy.
Applying in Our Lives: Let us approach prayer with confidence, knowing that God hears us and delights in answering our prayers according to His will. May we persistently seek His face, aligning our hearts with His kingdom purposes, and relying on His provision and guidance in every aspect of our lives.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us the power and importance of prayer through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to pray with persistence and faith, trusting in Your goodness and perfect timing. Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit that we may live according to Your will and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.