JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND PRAYER Lesson 7 for May 16, 2015

JESUS AND THE HOLY SPIRIT At His birth. He was born from the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:35). Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 1:41). Simeon was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 2:25). At His baptism. John predicted that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 3:16). The Holy Spirit came upon Him in a corporal shape (Lk. 3:22). He was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk. 4:1). During His ministry. He received the power of the Holy Spirit (Lk. 4:14). He did miracles thanks to the Holy Spirit (Lk. 4:18). He taught that blaspheming against the Holy Spirit is the worst sin (Lk. 12:10). With His disciples. He promised His constant presence (Jn. 16:7). He promised He would give Him to those who ask for Him (Lk. 11:13).

JESUS AND PRAYER Jesus was divine, and He was one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, He needed prayer in order to be in contact with His Father. He received comfort and guidance from Him through prayer. We find Jesus praying all through the book of Luke. He prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21) He prayed before choosing the twelve apostles (Luke 6:12-13) He prayed for His disciples (Luke 9:18) He prayed before the transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36) He prayed at Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46) He prayed when He was dying (Luke 23:46) If the Son of God needed to pray in order to be in communion with His Father, then we really need to live a life of prayer!

THE MODEL PRAYER Luke 11:2-4 Our Father in heaven God as personal, real, loving and caring as a (perfect) human father. Our Father God is holy and real. He is far above us, but still fully approachable through prayer. in heaven We sanctify God’s name by reflecting His character in our lives. Hallowed be Your name Both Jesus’ kingdom on this earth through His Church and the everlasting kingdom of glory that will come at His Second Coming. Your kingdom come

THE MODEL PRAYER Luke 11:2-4 God’s will is obeyed in heaven. We are partially responsible for His will being obeyed on Earth too. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven We admit that God is the source of everything we have. He supplies all our needs. Give us day by day our daily bread There is no salvation without forgiveness. We must forgive as we’ve been forgiven. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us God is the only one who can deliver us from evil. He gives us strength to overcome temptation. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

PARABLES ON PRAYER The importunate friend A “And He said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.” (Luke 11:5-8) A The importunate friend Insisting in prayer doesn’t change God’s will but strengthens our faith. “Pray without ceasing.” (1Ts. 5:17)

PARABLES ON PRAYER Egg or scorpion? B “If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11-13) This parable shows God’s willingness to give us everything that’s good for us. There’s only one condition, just ask Him.

PARABLES ON PRAYER The Pharisee and the Tax Collector. C “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14) Humbleness, repentance and a broken heart are fundamental when we come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

“You are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you, unless there was actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this; but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore He has bid you to pray.” E.G.W. (Lift Him Up, December 20)