The devil does not want us to pray, he seeks to hinder us from praying in any way he can. Because of this we need to be armed with an understanding both of the nature of God and a determination to commune with the Lord on a very regular basis.
Luke 11:1-2
After observing Jesus’ regular fellowship with His Heavenly Father, the disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. His response is what we term as the Lord’s Prayer. Luke’s version is shorter than the one found in Matthew 6.
The Lord’s Prayer should not be seen as merely a prayer to be repeated, it should be understood as a model containing important principals and essential elements of prayer.
Jesus taught us to address God in a way that expressed both intimacy and reverence. By calling God “Father” an intimacy o family level and allows the Christian to approach God as a child would approach an earthly father. Children should be able to come to their fathers with confidence, having assurance that they will find love and acceptance.
Also by stating “Hallowed be thy name” Jesus taught us to honor and show reverence for God’s name.
Why is it important to use God’s name in a reverent manner?
To the Jew, a name represented the essence of the one who bears it. When we declare that the name of God is “hallowed” (holy or sacred) we are declaring up front that God is also. We must never treat him as common. He is God, and because He is, He is worthy of our worship. We must always honor Him. As Christians we must never forget the nature of their relationship to God. We are children of God and dearly loved, while not forgetting that He is the Lord God.
Luke 11:2-4
As disciples, we are to desire the manifestation of God’s kingdom, of course this requires participation. The kingdom is manifested first in the hearts of God’s people. When we pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, we are praying for the reign of God in our hearts and lives.
The rest of the Lord’s Prayer addresses the various needs that have at least one thing in common and that is to help us recognize that we are completely dependent on God for everything we need.
The children of God are to trust Him for what they need for their day-to-day existence. It is by faith we see God as our ultimate Provider.
It is also vital that followers of Christ be in right relationship with God and with each other. It must be regular practice to come to God for forgiveness and be as equally willing to forgive those who have hurt them.
As children are exposed to the world in which they live, we are exposed to the spiritual dangers that surround us. We must pray and ask God to keep us from the temptations of the devil.
Luke 11:5-8
The typical Mid East family in the first century slept in a single room. The father often slept closest to the entry of the house while the rest of the family would sleep next to one another.
The average household usually fairly large, no lighting once lamp was put out, making it very difficult to get the loaves without waking everyone in the house. It would be understandable if the neighbor was not answered immediately and could be dismissed as unreasonable.
Another thing we need to understand is the importance that was placed on hospitality in that culture. It would be shameful not to offer provisions to a guest even in the middle of the night. This would tend to explain the persistence of the visitor.
Luke 11:5-8
Why do you think the Lord sometimes delays answer to prayer?
This passage does not teach that God is bound to do what we want, but does tell us that we can go to Him with the assurance that He will hear us. Persistence indicates that we will not give up until we are satisfies that we understand what God’s will in regard to our request.
Persistent prayer can be evidence of great faith. It requires faith to lay hold of God’s promises and not let go until they come to pass. Faith is being aware of the principal of God’s lordship and continues within that awareness.
How determined are you when you go to the Lord? Do we tend to give up when the answer does not come fairly quickly? Do we assume that the answer is no? God wants us to learn the principle of persistence in prayer.
Luke 11:9-10
Jesus used three commands to help His disciples understand the importance of boldness when praying. All three commands show continuous action. They could be translated as “ask and keep on asking” “seek and keep on seeking” and “knock and keep on knocking.”
These commands are all followed by promises stated in future tense. To those who ask it will be given to them, those who seek will find, and those who knock the door will be opened. The important point is that the Lord will respond to the persistent faith He sees shown by His children. Jesus is teaching us to come before the throne of God confidently, with reverence otherwise, our prayers will most likely be mixed with doubt and uncertainty.
How is your confidence in God today?
We can and should expect the best from the Lord. We must take Him at His word and pray with the bold assurance of confident children who are secure in knowing we are in a right relationship with our Heavenly Father.
