Luke 11:1-54
A disciple saw Jesus praying. It moved the disciple to say, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." In response Jesus taught His disciples, what has come to be known as "The Lord's Prayer." (Some Christians call it "The Disciples' Prayer.) He said, "When you pray, say:
'Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.'"
The prayer is also recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, where it is worded somewhat differently.
The Lord's Prayer is very popular. Some churches recite it every Sunday morning as part of their regular worship service. On one occasion a missionary from South Korea visited a small church in Wheatland, Wyoming. An elderly lady in the congregation asked him to say The Lord's Prayer in Korean. Then she added, "It always sounds so good when I hear it in a language that I don't understand." She must really love The Lord's Prayer!
Briefly consider four parts of the prayer. First, there is praise. We worship our heavenly Father, and offer praise and adoration. Second, submission to Him. When we pray, "Thy will be done," we are offering ourselves for His service. Third, confession of sins. God only uses those who are clean. When we confess, He forgives. See 1 John 1:9. Finally, petition. Believers are welcome at the throne of grace, where the Lord is ready and willing to meet all of our needs.
After Jesus taught The Lord's Prayer, He told the story of a man who visited his friend at midnight to borrow some bread. His friend ordinarily would not get out of bed. But he would get up and give him food, if the man kept knocking on the door. What's the lesson? Jesus would tell us, "Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking." Persistence in prayer pays off. Don't give up.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You have made us Your very own children. Thank You for hearing our prayers. Keep us from being complacent and lazy. Instead, stir our hearts that we might be fervent in prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen!
