Teach us to Pray

CALL TO WORSHIP

Come, let us worship the Lord, the God of Abraham, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us seek God’s justice, let us wonder at God’s mercy and grace. Let us worship Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

HYMN

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (StF 34)

GATHERING PRAYER

Almighty God, as we gather, let us be quiet and find your presence. We rejoice in the mystery of your loving justice. Help us to understand what your love means, and how we can share that love with others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Our Father in heaven, we come to worship you. We gather as your people. We seek your kingdom and its outworking among us, yearning for the world’s sufficiency, searching for peace and harmony, justice and fairness. To you, our God, we come. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our prayers we have offered – words spoken, clear or muddled, thoughts turned, feelings felt. But all of this is nothing if we do not live out the yearnings of our praying. All of this is nothing, if we do not turn our prayers to action. In penitence and sorrow, we offer now our lives to you, seeking to know your forgiveness and desiring to live by your ways. Amen.

Assurance of forgiveness

Our words, dear God, are so often hollow and empty, your word is full and forever, your word promises to forgive us, it assures us of our freedom from past sins, failings and faltering’s. Let us hear now your word and be set free to live our lives for you. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever Amen.

HYMN

Seek ye first the kingdom of God (StF 254)

Collection

READING

Luke 11:1–13 NRSV

1 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 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 indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.” 5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. 9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give 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!”

HYMN

Christ is made the sure foundation (StF 677)

SERMON

Reflections on Luke 11:1-13: The Heart of Prayer

A 20-Minute Sermon

Let us open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of the Gospel, as we reflect together on Luke 11:1-13—a passage that draws us into the very heart of prayer.

Introduction: The Desire to Pray

Once, a young boy overheard his mother talking about how she wished she could pray like a certain pastor. He chimed in, 'Mom, prayer is just talking to God! You can do it anywhere.' Later that night, as they were saying prayers before bed, he simply said, 'Hey God, it’s me again. Thanks for today, and could you please help mom find her peace?' His innocent, light-hearted prayer reminded her that connection with God doesn’t have to be complex—it just needs honesty and a desire to connect.

More in keeping with our Church history last Wednesday in 1742 was the death of the mother of Methodism, Susanna Wesley. She was no doubt a hero of faith, she didn’t have an easy life losing nine out of nineteen children, her house burning down twice.

Her husband described as a penniless preacher was not much support.

 But through all her troubles she never lost sight of God, we are not privy to her prayer life, but what we do know is she would pull her apron over her head, and this was a sign to the busy household that it was her place to pray like a, do not disturb notice.

I wonder do you have a place you go to pray to God.

When I visit my brother in Scotland, he has a summer house and from the window is a small tree, that’s where I go for my morning reading and prayer time, at home I don’t have that luxury, so I put on a metaphorical apron over my head. Unless the sun is out then I can sit in the garden and enjoy a time of peace.

But have you ever felt uncertain about how to pray, or if you have ever wondered whether your words reach God, if you have, you’re not alone. In Luke 11, we find the disciples approaching Jesus with a humble request: “Lord, teach us to pray.” Even those closest to Jesus—those who witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, and walked by His side—felt the need for guidance in prayer.

Why? Because prayer is not simply about words or rituals. Prayer is about relationship. Prayer is the language of the soul reaching out to the Creator. And in this passage, Jesus gives us not just a model for prayer, but a glimpse into the very heart of our connection with God.

The Lord’s Prayer: Simplicity and Depth

Jesus responds to His disciples’ request with what we now call the Lord’s Prayer—a prayer so familiar that we may recite it by heart, yet so profound that we can spend a lifetime exploring its depths. Listen again to these words:

“Father hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”

Let us pause at each phrase:

· “Father hallowed be your name.”—At the very beginning, Jesus invites us into intimacy. He doesn't

say “O distant deity,” but “Father.” Prayer begins with relationship—with trust, with love, with a childlike confidence that we are heard. And yet, this intimacy is balanced with reverence: “Hallowed be your name.”God is near, but God is also holy, worthy of awe and respect.

· “Your kingdom come”—Prayer is not only about our needs; it is about aligning ourselves with God’s purposes. We pray for the coming of God’s kingdom—for justice, for mercy, for peace—to break into our world and our hearts.

· “Give us each day our daily bread.”—Jesus teaches us to bring our needs before God—our physical needs, our spiritual needs, our emotional needs. Just as God fed the Israelites with manna in the wilderness, so God sustains us day by day. We learn to depend on God, not just in moments of crisis, but in every ordinary day.

· “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.”—Prayer is a place of honesty. We come before God not as perfect people, but as those in need of mercy. And as we receive forgiveness, we are called to extend that forgiveness to others. The heart of prayer is the heart of reconciliation.

· “And lead us not into temptation.”—We acknowledge our weaknesses and ask for God’s guidance and protection. Prayer is an act of humility. We do not presume to stand alone; we ask God to direct our steps and deliver us from evil.

The Lord’s Prayer is both simple and profound—a roadmap for our daily journey with God.

Persistence in Prayer: The Parable of the Friend at Midnight

After teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells a story—a parable about a friend who goes to his neighbour at midnight, asking for bread because a visitor has arrived. The neighbour is reluctant at first; after all, it is late! But because of the friend’s persistence, the neighbour eventually gets up and gives him what he needs.

Jesus says, “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.”

What does this mean for us? Jesus is not saying that God is like a grumpy neighbour who must be pestered into helping us. Rather, He uses contrast to make a point: if human beings, even when inconvenienced, respond to persistence, how much more will our loving and generous God respond to the needs of His children?

Persistence in prayer is not about wearing God down; it is about deepening our trust, our dependence, and our openness to God’s will. It is about returning again and again to the One who loves us.

Ask, Seek, Knock: The Invitation to Boldness

Jesus continues, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

These are not passive words. They are words of action, of boldness, of expectation. Jesus invites us to be active participants in our relationship with God—to ask, to seek, to knock. Each verb grows in intensity, showing us, that God welcomes our persistence, our questions, our longing.

But notice also the promise: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” God is not indifferent. God listens. God responds.

The Generosity of God: The Father’s Heart

To drive the message home, Jesus asks, “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Here, Jesus reveals the very heart of prayer—the heart of the Father. God’s generosity surpasses all human standards. God’s gifts are not arbitrary. God gives what is good—what brings life, transformation, and hope.

And the greatest gift of all is God’s own presence: the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we pray, God not only hears us—God comes to us, dwells with us, empowers us, and walks with us.

Application: Living the Heart of Prayer

So, what does all of this mean for us today? How do we take these lessons from Luke 11:1-13 and let them shape our lives?

· First, approach God with trust and intimacy. Do not be afraid to call God “Father,” to bring your true self to God, to pray with honesty and vulnerability.

· Second, pray for God’s kingdom to come. Let your prayers stretch beyond your personal concerns. Pray for justice, for peace, for the healing of the world. Ask God to align your heart with God’s purposes.

· Third, bring your daily needs before God. Trust that God cares about every aspect of your life—your health, your work, your relationships. Nothing is too small or too great for God’s attention.

· Fourth, seek forgiveness and practice forgiveness. Make prayer a place of confession and reconciliation. Let God’s mercy flow through you to others.

· Fifth, be persistent. Do not lose heart if answers seem slow in coming. Remember, God’s timing and wisdom often surpasses our own understanding. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.

· Finally, trust in God’s generosity. God gives good gifts. God gives the Holy Spirit. Even when we do not receive exactly what we ask for, we can trust that God’s answer will be what is best for us.

Conclusion: The Heart of Prayer

As we close, let us remember that prayer is not about getting what we want, but about becoming who God calls us to be. Prayer changes us. It draws us into communion with God, shapes our desires, and opens us to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

So, like the disciples, let us say, “Lord, teach us to pray.”Let us pray with trust, with boldness, with persistence, and with hearts open to the love and generosity of our heavenly Father.

May the heart of prayer—the very heart of God—beat within us, guiding us, empowering us, and sending us out as people of hope and compassion.

Amen.

HYMN

My Jesus my Saviour (StF 363)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Our prayers for others bring us to our knees in gratitude for what we have and in desiring for the needs of those around us.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

Having experienced heatwaves which floored and discomforted so many of us, we pray for all those across the world who daily have to deal with such temperature extremes. Those whose houses are flimsy and unstable and uninsulated against cold or heat, those who have no place to find retreat and rest from the heat. Lands become parched more readily and crops wither. Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya are facing extreme hunger if rains don’t come soon. May we and all the world find ways to support each other and reduce our impact on the climate, that all, now and in the future may live more sustainable, healthy lives with food enough for the day.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

For all those who work in Social Care and the Health Services in our country and around the world, where underfunding, lack of resources, lack of support and misuse and abuse by so many causes stress to staff, deteriorating care at crisis times, delayed diagnosis and insufficient support. We pray for those who work, who plan for, who fund and who need to use such services.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

For governments and regimes around the globe who find themselves in turmoil. We pray for a wider recognition of the needs of all and seek equality and fairness for all humanity. We pray that we may, in our small way, be part of the solution. For those who seek to flee corrupt and violent regimes and who put themselves in danger to simply find a better way of life. May they find, welcome, care, love, support and guidance as they journey.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

For those without faith or moral compass, who do not seek the Kingdom of God, the support and love of God, who do not seek or know the burning of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We pray they may see the spark in others and be drawn to faith and find the love and comfort that faith can bring.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

For the lost, the lonely, the ill, the dying and the bereaved, and those we know who are in need of your comfort at these times of pain, confusion and grief they may find comfort in God, in family, friends or neighbour, in a touch, a word, a smile or companiable silence.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer.

This day, these are our prayers for those whose lives touch our lives, our consciousness, our very being, they are the prayers for the people whose needs weigh heavily upon our hearts and lives.

Holy Spirit of God, Hear our prayer. Amen.

HYMN

Be, thou my vision (StF 545)

BLESSING

Lord, help us to think before praying, and pray before acting. May we see our community and the people who make it up as precious to you and precious to us, as we seek to preserve all that is beautiful and build up all that is holy and Godly. Amen.

“May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD

cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you

and give you peace”