House of Cards Week Two: Teach Us To Pray

Me (Personal Intro)

I used to struggle with the purpose of prayer. Honestly, it never really made much sense.

We ask… but God may or may not respond.

We ask… but He already knows, right?

We ask… but it doesn’t always feel like it works.

And I couldn’t help but feel like God responded differently to people like David… or Jesus… than He did to me.

Prayer felt like one of those things I was supposed to do as a Christian—but not something I really understood.

That started to change when I had kids.

Because they ask me for things all the time.

And sometimes I say yes, sometimes no, sometimes not yet.

But they keep asking—not because they’ve figured out the magic words,

but because they know I’m their dad.

They trust I care—even if I don’t always say what they want to hear.

And somewhere in that, the point of prayer started to come into focus.

It’s not about perfect words.

It’s about relationship.

It’s about trust.

We (Shared Tension)

And I don’t think I’m the only one who’s felt that way.

Especially in the South, we’re surrounded by prayer. We say grace. We pray before big moments. We hear people say, “I’ll be praying for you.” But let’s be honest… prayer often feels more like a religious box to check than something real we can build on.

We’ve memorized prayers. We’ve said the same ones before every meal for years.

But deep down, many of us are still wondering:

If God already knows, why do I need to ask?

Why does it seem like prayer works for others but not for me?

Am I saying it wrong?

Does prayer even matter if nothing changes?

And when it comes to our homes—our relationships, our rhythms—prayer often gets pushed to the background. We assume we’re too busy, or that prayer is more of a personal thing, not a family foundation.

But that’s where we’re wrong. Because if our home is going to last, it has to be built on more than schedules, effort, or appearance. It has to be built on Jesus. And the first brick He invites us to lay down is prayer.

Truth

Luke 11:1–13 When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He didn’t hand them a script. He gave them access to a relationship.

Luke 11:1–13 ESV

1 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.” 2 And he said to them, “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.” 5 And he 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’? 8 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. 9 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. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Here’s how He reframes prayer—not as a religious routine, but as a relational brick we build our homes on:

🧱 1. Prayer isn’t a task to master—it’s a relationship to grow.

Luke 11:1 ESV

1 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.”

They didn’t ask how to lead, teach, or study the Bible better.

They asked how to pray. Why?

Because Jesus’ prayers looked different. They weren’t rehearsed. They weren’t just traditional. They were intimate. Personal. Real.

Religion says, “You should already know how.”

Relationship says, “It’s okay to start where you are.”

Let’s be real—

prayer feels awkward sometimes.

We sit there wondering what to say, how to start, or if we’re just talking to ourself.

And it’s easy to look around and think everyone else has this figured out.

But the truth?

Nobody starts out confident in prayer.

We all stumble our way into it.

Prayer isn’t something we master—it’s something we grow into.

And awkward is where that growth begins.

If prayer feels awkward to you—you’re not behind. You’re just getting started.

That’s how every real relationship with God begins—honest, unfiltered, and a little messy.

🧱 2. You’re not performing for God—you’re talking to your Father.

Luke 11:2–4 ESV

2 And he said to them, “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.”

Jesus doesn’t give us a performance checklist—He gives us a pattern.

And it starts with one word that changes everything: Father.

Not “Judge.” Not “Boss.” Not “Distant Creator.”

Father.

That word tells us everything we need to know about prayer.

It’s not a transaction. It’s not about impressing God or earning something.

Prayer is about connection. A real relationship built on trust, not perfection.

And every line of this prayer lays a brick in that foundation:

We worship — “Hallowed be your name.”

We slow down long enough to remember who God is. He’s not just with us—He’s holy, worthy, and above all.

We surrender — “Your kingdom come.”

We stop trying to control everything and ask God to do what only He can do—in us and through us.

We trust — “Give us each day our daily bread.”

Not weekly. Not in bulk. Just today. We don’t have to hold it all together—we just lean on Him for the next step.

We confess — “Forgive us our sins…”

No pretending. We name what’s broken in us, and we let grace cover it.

We let go — “…as we forgive everyone who is indebted to us.”

Bitterness can’t build a healthy home. We release what we’ve been holding onto because God has released us.

We depend — “Lead us not into temptation.”

We admit our weakness and ask Him to guide our steps. Not just from sin—but toward what’s right.

This isn’t a script—it’s a rhythm.

A foundation we come back to over and over.

And if we want to lead our families well, we don’t start with big gestures.

We start with honest prayer.

Homes built on connection with the Father won’t crumble when life gets hard.

Because they’re not built on performance—they’re built on presence.

🧱 3. You don’t have to beg—just keep showing up.

Luke 11:5–10 ESV

5 And he 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’? 8 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. 9 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.

Jesus follows up the Lord’s Prayer with a story—a weird one, honestly.

A man shows up at his friend’s house at midnight, pounding on the door, asking for bread. It’s late.

The guy inside has already locked up. His kids are in bed. The request isn’t convenient.

But Jesus says the man still gets what he needs.

Not because they’re close.

Not because it’s a good time.

But because he kept knocking.

And then Jesus says:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Let’s be clear—this isn’t a formula to get whatever we want.

This is Jesus calling us into persistence.

Not pestering—but trusting.

The man at the door doesn’t walk away after one knock.

He doesn’t assume silence means rejection.

He stays.

He keeps knocking because he knows someone is home.

This is the kind of prayer Jesus invites us into.

Not polished. Not desperate. Just consistent.

Ask — Keep asking, because God hears you.

Seek — Keep seeking, because even when you feel lost, God hasn’t lost sight of you.

Knock — Keep knocking, because the door will open—it just might not open on your timeline.

This story isn’t about annoying God into action.

It’s about staying close enough long enough to see that He really does provide.

Religion walks away when the answer doesn’t come fast.

But relationship knocks again—because it knows Someone’s home.

And here’s the truth:

You’re not bothering God. You’re being invited.

He’s not worn out by your prayers.

He’s not rolling His eyes.

He’s a Father who opens the door—even if it takes a few knocks to get there.

So don’t give up.

Don’t let the silence fool you.

Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.

Because He’s listening.

And the door is still open.

Illustration

Let’s be honest—we’ve all seen this in our homes.

One of our kids keeps asking for something—not in a spoiled way, but just consistently.

“Hey Dad, can we play catch now?”

“Hey Mom, did you remember I needed that thing for school?”

“Hey, I know you’re busy, but can we talk?”

At some point, it’s not even about what they’re asking for anymore.

It’s about who they’re asking

They come to us because they trust us.

They believe we’re listening.

And even when we’re tired… even when the timing is bad… we still show up—because they’re ours.

BACK ON POINT

That’s what Jesus is showing us in this story.

God’s not the annoyed friend yelling from the other side of the door.

He’s a Father who responds—not because we’re persistent enough to wear Him down, but because we belong to Him.

Every time we show up in prayer—even when we’ve asked before, even when we’re tired—it’s not a bother.

It’s trust.

When we pray again for our kids…

when we ask again for help in our marriage…

when we bring the same hurt, the same need, the same struggle to God—

We’re not begging.

We’re believing.

And that kind of faith? That builds something solid.

🧱 4. God doesn’t hand out scraps—He gives Himself.

Luke 11:11–13 ESV

11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jesus ends by reminding us: you’re not praying to a distant, disconnected God.

You’re praying to a Father who gives good gifts.

And the best gift? His presence.

Religion seeks results.

Relationship seeks the presence of the One who holds everything together.

Prayer isn’t how you get things from God.

It’s how you get more of God in your home.

Application

“Prayer is the first brick. Not the finishing touch. Not the emergency backup. The first brick.”

Application Points

“Prayer isn’t a backup plan. Make it your first move.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

17 pray without ceasing,

Don’t wait for crisis—lead with connection.

“Prayer won’t make your house perfect. It makes it stable.”

Romans 8:26 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

You don’t need the right words. You just need to show up.

“Stop memorizing prayers. Start meaning them.”

Jeremiah 29:12 ESV

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.

God’s not waiting on the perfect phrase—He’s waiting on your voice.

Participation Moment

“This week, your placemat includes simple prayer prompts. Whether you live alone, with kids, or with roommates, take one moment each day to pray out loud—before a meal, before work, before bed. One room. One moment. One prayer. That’s how you build.”

Gospel Landing: Why We Can Pray

“You don’t have to wonder if God hears you.

You don’t have to figure out the right words.

You don’t have to clean yourself up first.”

“Jesus didn’t just teach us to pray—He made prayer possible.

At the cross, He tore down the wall.

When He rose, He opened the door.

And now, every time you speak—your Father hears you.”

“Prayer doesn’t get you to God—Jesus already did.

Prayer helps you stay close.”

🛠 INVITE

Here’s How We Respond Today:

You carry it at home—but let us walk with you here.

You’ve been praying for your kids, your spouse, your home life.

That’s good. But you don’t have to carry all of that alone.

We’ve launched a prayer team—elders, leaders, and trusted people—who are ready to pray with you.

Not just today, but from now on. This isn’t a one-time prayer—it’s a new foundation we’re building as a church family.

Whatever you’re praying for at home—marriage tension, a wandering child, financial pressure, decisions you can’t untangle—know this:

You are not praying for these things alone.

We’re here to walk with you. To kneel beside you. To knock on heaven’s door together.

That’s what spiritual family does.

Don’t leave with the weight you walked in with.

Come forward. Fill out a card. Grab a prayer team member. Ask someone near you. Whatever it looks like—respond.

Let this be the first brick in something new.

Prayer isn’t our last resort—it’s our first step. So let’s build something stronger. Together.