FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2015 “A MODEL FOR PRAYER” LUKE 11:1-13

OBJECTIVES OF LESSON TO UNDERSTAND THAT PRAYER IS UNIVERSAL. EVERY RELIGION PRACTICES PRAYER IN SOME FORM. TO UNDERSTAND THAT PRAYER SHOULD NOT BE MEANINGLESS REPITION OR EMPTY MEDITATION. TO PRAY IS A NATURAL RESPONSE TO OUR BELIEF IN GOD AND WE’RE NATURALLY INCLINED TO PRAY.

PRAYER IN YOUR LIFE A CHILD OF GOD IS TO BE CONSTANTLY PRAYING AND CONSTANTLY IN CONTACT WITH GOD. EVEN IN THOSE “DRY PLACES” WHEN IT MAY SEEM LIKE A ONE-WAY CONVERSATION WITH GOD. GOD MAY REVEAL HIMSELF OR IMPART SOME CONVICION WHEN WE ARE PRAYING. PRAYING IS NEVER A ONE-WAY ACTIVITY – DON’T FORGET TO LISTEN FOR AN ANSWER!

THE REQUEST AND THE PATTERN FOR PRAYER Luke 11:1-4

LUKE 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

LUKE 11:1-4 Give us day by day our daily bread.. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Thoughts on the text Of all the things that the Disciples could have asked for, their request was to be taught to pray. Somewhere down the line, Jesus’ prayer life caught the attention of the Disciples. Whose prayer life has captured your attention? They had been following Jesus for three years. They knew prayers to say but they did not know how to address the God they personally knew.

Thoughts on the text In your opinion, is prayer as necessary as it was in the 1960s ? In your opinion, why aren’t people excited about praying to speak with God? True or False – “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”

When We Pray . . . “Our Father” Acknowledging God as Father “Which Art In Heaven” Acknowledging our need to worship and recognize His unique character and attributes “Hallowed be thy name...” Acknowledging that he is perfectly holy, which means “treated as holy.” “Thy will be done” Acknowledging that God’s desire will be accomplished and compliments it in Heaven.

PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER LUKE 11:5-8

LUKE 11:5-8  AND HE SAID UNTO THEM, WHICH OF YOU SHALL HAVE A FRIEND, AND SHALL GO UNTO HIM AT MIDNIGHT, AND SAY UNTO HIM, FRIEND, LET ME THREE LOAVES; FOR A FRIEND OF MINE IN HIS JOURNEY IS COME TO ME, AND I HAVE NOTHING TO SET BEFORE HIM?

LUKE 11:5-8 AND HE FROM WITHIN SHALL ANSWER AND SAY, TROUBLE ME NOT: THE DOOR IS NOW SHUT, AND MY CHILDREN ARE WITH ME IN BED; I CANNOT RISE AND GIVE THEE. I SAY UNTO YOU, THOUGH HE WILL NOT RISE AND GIVE HIM, BECAUSE HE IS HIS FRIEND, YET BECAUSE OF HIS IMPORTUNITY HE WILL RISE AND GIVE HIM AS MANY AS HE NEEDETH

Thoughts About The Text THE CONTINUITY OF THE TRUTH AND THE PARABLE . . . JESUS ENCOURAGED THEM (AND US) TO PRAY AND PRAY WITH PERSISTENCE JESUS SAYS HE DIDN’T STAY THERE – HE WOULD GET UP BECAUSE OF HIS IMPORTUNITY (PERSISTENCE) IN ASKING FOR BREAD PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER PAYS OFF.

HOW PERSISTENT SHOULD I BE ? SHOULD I PRAY FOR EVERY MATTER THE SAME? SHOULD I PRAY EVEN WHEN THE ANSWER IS NOT ON THE WAY? SHOULD I PRAY EVEN WHEN I HAVE OTHER PERSONAL PRIORITIES? SHOULD I PRAY WHEN I’M TIRED PHYSICALLY?

LUKE 11:9-13 AND I SAY UNTO YOU, ASK, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN YOU; SEEK, AND YE SHALL FIND; KNOCK, AND IT SHALL BE OPENED UNTO YOU FOR EVERY ONE THAT ASKETH RECEIVETH; AND HE THAT SEEKETH FINDETH; AND TO HIM THAT KNOCKETH IT SHALL BE OPENED.

LUKE 11:9-13 IF A SON SHALL ASK BREAD OF ANY OF YOU THAT IS A FATHER, WILL HE GIVE HIM A STONE? OR IF HE ASK A FISH, WHILL HE FOR A FISH GIVE HIM A SERPENT? OR IF HE SHALL ASK AN EGG, WILL HE OFFER HIM A SCORPION? IF YE THEN, BEING EVIL, KNOW HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS UNTO YOUR CHILDREN: HOW MUCH MORE SHALL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THEM THAT ASK HIM?

Thoughts About The Text NOW THE APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE: ASK – HUMBLE REQUEST OF A SUPERIOR SEEK – THE IDEA OF EFFORT KNOCK – THE THOUGHT OF REPITTION GOD IS THE FATHER; WE ARE THE CHILDREN: NOTE WHAT THE FATHER WILL DO FOR US DESCRIBE OUR FATHER

A FINAL WORD GOD IS NOT A VENDING MACHINE THAT AUTOMATICALLY GIVES US WHAT WE WANT WHEN WE INSERT THE RIGHT PRAYER. HE IS GOD, AND IF WE WANT HIS WILL AND HIS BEST, WE MUST APPROACH HIM WITH EARNEST FAITH AND PERSISTENCE.