Prayer 2 Luke 11:1-13
One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. His response? Luke 11:
2 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 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
The Lord's Prayer teaches us that when we come to God in prayer, we can ask for what we truly need: food and forgiveness. It also teaches us that when we approach God, we can call Him "Father" indicating a close, dependent relationship.
The familiar prayer is followed by a story similar to the persistent widow (see Luke 11:5-8). This one is a little different. Food, not justice, is needed and it is to a friend, not judge, to whom the seeker goes. But what is similar is the boldness and persistence of the asker. So, as we think about the words we are to pray, don't lose sight of mode of prayer. Verses 9: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
The passage finishes with Jesus using human fathers as an example of giving good not harmful things to their children and comparing them with God. "If you, then, though you are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
Did you notice that God is called "Father" here again? He is not an uncaring, unjust judge, nor a friend who doesn't want to get out of bed to help you. He is a Giver of good gifts and, in particular, He gives us what we truly need: the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit is at work in our world and our lives. We need Him to reveal truth, to comfort, to work miracles, to give wisdom, to heal, to deliver us from evil, and on and on. So when you are wondering, "What words do I pray in this situation?" Let me suggest two things:
1) Call God "Father" and receive His parental provision, nurture, protection, and love.
2) Ask for the Holy Spirit to be given to you and to others you are praying for. Ask for the Holy Spirit to take action and for God's kingdom to come.
2 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 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
The Lord's Prayer teaches us that when we come to God in prayer, we can ask for what we truly need: food and forgiveness. It also teaches us that when we approach God, we can call Him "Father" indicating a close, dependent relationship.
The familiar prayer is followed by a story similar to the persistent widow (see Luke 11:5-8). This one is a little different. Food, not justice, is needed and it is to a friend, not judge, to whom the seeker goes. But what is similar is the boldness and persistence of the asker. So, as we think about the words we are to pray, don't lose sight of mode of prayer. Verses 9: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."
The passage finishes with Jesus using human fathers as an example of giving good not harmful things to their children and comparing them with God. "If you, then, though you are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
Did you notice that God is called "Father" here again? He is not an uncaring, unjust judge, nor a friend who doesn't want to get out of bed to help you. He is a Giver of good gifts and, in particular, He gives us what we truly need: the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit is at work in our world and our lives. We need Him to reveal truth, to comfort, to work miracles, to give wisdom, to heal, to deliver us from evil, and on and on. So when you are wondering, "What words do I pray in this situation?" Let me suggest two things:
1) Call God "Father" and receive His parental provision, nurture, protection, and love.
2) Ask for the Holy Spirit to be given to you and to others you are praying for. Ask for the Holy Spirit to take action and for God's kingdom to come.
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