“The story of every great Christian achievement is the history of answered prayer.”  – E.M. Bounds

Luke 11:1 ESV – Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

A Simple Pattern for Focus & Direction

A Model, not a Mantra

Luke 11:2-4 EVV – , Jesus said,

“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 forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

Matthew 6:7 ESV – when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 

A Guide to Follow

  • Luke 11:2,“When you pray, say:

When will you pray?

  • Luke 11:2, “When you pray, say: ‘Father…

“Father”

Hebrews 10:19 ESV – we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 

Hebrews 4:16 ESV –  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

  • Luke 11:2, Father, hallowed be Your Name
  • Luke 11:2, Your kingdom come.
  • Luke 11:3, Give us each day our daily bread,

Philippians 4:19 ESV –  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

  • Luke 11:4, and forgive us our sins,

1 John 1:8 ESV – If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

James 5:16 ESV – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV – exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 

  • Luke 11:3, “forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us

Mark 11:25 ESV – And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

  • Luke 11:3, And lead us not into temptation.

Romans 3:10 ESV – …there is no one righteous, not even one.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV – …let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

“Don’t sit near the fire if your head is made of butter.”  – Martin Luther

A Simple Parable For Persistent Prayer

Luke 11:5-7 ESV – Then, Jesus said to them. “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves,6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 

Luke 11:8 ESV – I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.

Luke 11:9 ESV – And I tell 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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

When Do I Stop Praying?

Luke 11:9-10 ESV – And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Luke 11:11-13 ESV – What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good giftsto your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spiritto those who ask him!”