Lord, Teach Us to Pray, Part 2
I started a new sermon series last week called “Lord, teach us to pray.” It explores the request the disciples made to Jesus. Let’s continue our discussion of this important passage of scripture.
Jesus shares principles of prayer in Luke 11:1-4.
“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1 NKJV
The disciples observed Jesus’ supernatural way of life. But, they asked to learn how to pray, not to heal or deliver the oppressed. Why?
The disciples watched Jesus heal the sick. They saw His miracle power to open the eyes of the blind and the deaf. They saw Him cleanse a leper with just a touch. His words calmed a stormy sea and brought the dead back to life.
How did He carry out these healings and miracles? What was the secret to His miracle power?
It was mysterious to them at first, but eventually the disciples discovered His secret. Jesus had this power because He was a man of prayer!
The disciples observed Jesus praying and understood that His prayer life was essential to His miracle-working power. Jesus was willing to let them learn how to pray and perform greater works (John 14:12).
Why did Jesus need to pray at all? After all, He was God?
Yes, fully God but also fully man! Jesus relinquished His divine privileges or prerogatives, came to earth in human flesh, lived dependent on the Father, and was led and empowered by the Spirit (see Phil. 2:5-8).
He became our example of how to live dependent on God and empowered by the Spirit. He spent time daily with the Father to know God’s will, receive guidance, and gain fresh anointing for His ministry.
Three Top Priorities for Jesus to Pray
#1: Jesus Prioritized Prayer over Public Ministry
“So He himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” Luke 5:16 NKJV
Every day was busy for Jesus, often extending into the evening. Many of you understand that feeling of exhaustion. Days and weeks can be overwhelming, and sometimes all you want and need is a good night’s sleep! Have you ever been too tired to pray?
#2: Jesus Prayed During Moments of Decision
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles… Luke 6:12-13 NKJV
Perhaps His conversation with the Father went like this: “Father, what is your direction, which of these should I choose?”
We all encounter major decisions and crossroads in life. Learn to treasure quality time with God in prayer to listen to Him and receive His perspective and guidance.
#3 Jesus Prayed to Stay Focused on His Mission
“He was alone praying…” Luke 9:18 NKJV
His disciples came to Him, and He asked them, “Who do you say that I am?” Then He told them about His coming death and resurrection—purpose guided Him.
Do you have a place to be alone with God and stay focused on your mission? Every believer has a purpose, beginning with following Christ. Beyond that, He empowers us to represent Him.
Jesus didn’t give a specific prayer formula; instead, He shared core principles for prayer.
I’ll expand on these more over the next few weeks, but here are the main principles of prayer from the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11:1-4.
#1 Prayer should start with praise and worship! “Hallowed be your name…”
Our life in Christ and existence stem from God’s love and goodness.
James 1:17 says, “Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father…” CEB
Our love for God is shown through worship, which is the first part of prayer.
Some people overlook this part of prayer. Maybe because they lack a close relationship with God, prayer is simply a way to seek help in emergencies. Of course, God wants to help us during tough times, but that’s not the only purpose of prayer.
God desires a relationship with us, those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Praise, worship, and thanksgiving draw us into God’s presence (Psalm 100:4-5). This is where genuine prayer begins!
#2 Prayer should have expectation. “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done.”
Asking for God’s kingdom (basileia) to come means requesting that the King rules and that his rule governs over his realm, which, in simple terms, is over our lives and our world.
It starts with us—His authority over our lives—His throne set up in our hearts. We need to acknowledge the importance of surrendering our will to His will.
#3 Prayer should include petition: “Give us day by day our daily bread.”
Does God want to give us what we need to eat, need to live? Absolutely!
#4 Confession should be an essential part of prayer. “Forgive us our sins.”
John writes that if we claim we have no sin, we are deceived. God’s grace forgives our sins, but confession is necessary!
#5 Forgiveness is essential for effective prayer. “Forgive everyone who…”
Do you find it easy to forgive? I’ll examine this in the coming weeks.
#6 Trusting in God’s protective power was also demonstrated when He said:
“Do not lead us into temptation (don’t allow us to come into the place of testing) but deliver us from the evil one.”
Persistence is Needed
Jesus then teaches persistence in prayer, along with a sense of urgency and boldness (Luke 11:5-10). The persistence is for our benefit, not His!
Vs. 9 – ASK, SEEK, KNOCK! 3 TYPES OF PRAYER
ASK, or Petitioning Prayer
SEEK, or Devotional Prayer
KNOCK, or Intercessional Prayer
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus shares a parable about a widow who persistently pleads with a judge who is not righteous. The parable teaches us that we should not become weary in waiting for the Lord but instead persevere in faith!
It contrasts the unjust judge, who only responds out of exasperation, with God’s readiness to answer quickly.
Furthermore, we are not widows (without anyone to defend us), but beloved children of God, members of His family and His bride, His own body. Jesus is our “husband” and the one who defends us!
Petitioning God is basic to prayer!
God is our Father, and He delights in giving to His children. A child has rights within a family.
God is a good God! He wants to give us all good things if we simply ask Him.
“How much more will your Father who is in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” Matt. 7:11 NKJV
That which aligns with His nature and word…
Jesus said in John 16:23-24 NLT to ask the Father in Jesus’ name!
23 At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
In John 16:27, Jesus explains why this works – because we believe in Him. Therefore, we become partakers of the inheritance of the only begotten Son of God.
“For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.” NKJV
Final Thoughts
Satan’s main tactic isn’t always to lead you into blatant sin.
Instead, he tries to lead you into passivity and complacency. To make you believe that your prayer doesn’t work and that you’re incapable of becoming a man or woman of prayer.
The widow was persistent and received justice. God promises us, as His bride and family, that He will answer quickly.
What situation are you facing today that needs God’s quick answer?
