Teach me to Pray (W. 1) - Luke 11:1-4

A Pattern for Prayer

Hey students! Tonight we are beginning a new series of messages on prayer!

So over the next few weeks, come prepared to learn the importance of prayer, a pattern of prayer, persistently praying, and a Partner in prayer.

Prayer is vital to a Christian! Absolutely vital. As our pastor says, “Prayer to the Christian’s spiritual life is like oxygen to their physical life.”

The Bible teaches a LOT about prayer. Intercessional prayer, supplimental prayer, prayers of protection, and prayers asking God to avenge His name.

In fact, studies show that most Americans spend time praying.

Barnes and Noble - 4,348 books on Christian prayer.

Lifeway - 1,171 books on prayer… 10 were for youth age lol.

As Christians, we have the privilege to pray.

Hebrews 4:14–16 KJV 1900

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

As Christians, we also have been commanded to pray:

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900

Pray without ceasing.

Lord, teach us to pray.

1. The Example of the Lord

Luke 11:1 KJV 1900

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.

It costs to learn from the best. For one amateur golfer, $210,000 for a private lesson with Tiger Woods sounds about right.

According to Golf Digest's Tim Rosaforte, someone decided to pay the hefty price at a draw party for the Hurricane Harvey Relief Pro-Am

they saw something different in Jesus, so naturally they want to learn from the best… What did they see in Jesus?

a) Jesus Prayed Consistently

Mark 1:35 KJV 1900

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Jesus prayed all the time. One of the consistent things we see is that Jesus would depart to a quiet place and pray:

Mark 1:35 KJV 1900

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

Luke 5:16 KJV 1900

And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

Jesus also consistency prayed during the big moments in life:

Jesus prayed at His baptism:

Luke 3:21 KJV 1900

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

Jesus prayed as He chose the 12 disciples:

Luke 6:12 KJV 1900

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

He prayed at the Transfiguration

Luke 9:28 KJV 1900

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

He prayed before He was arrested:

Luke 22:40–44 KJV 1900

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

He prayed on the cross:

Luke 23:46 KJV 1900

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

I love listening to saints pray. I love listening to my wife pray.

But think about the prayers of Jesus.

The Creator of Heaven touching Heaven

The Humble Son of God, provider of eternal life, speaking to the author of life.

b) Jesus Prayed Differently

It’s important to know that in this day and age, when the Jews prayed they would do so outloud in the synagogues and the street corners.

It was an outward practice to get the attention of man, not to get in the presence of God.

It wasn’t about outward attention, but about upward communion.

Rabbis often composed prayers for their disciples to recite. Having seen Jesus pray many times, they realized that He had a love of prayer, and their was power in His words and not just some recited routine.

Jesus prayed to commune with the Father, not to be seen of anyone.

I love listening to saints pray.

I love listening to my wife pray.

But think about listening to the prayers of Jesus.

The Humble Son of God touched heaven!

So having watched Jesus do this differently, and pray with such power and consistency.

“Effective prayer is the provision for every need and the solution for every problem.” - Warren Wiersbe

2. The Lesson from the Lord

Luke 11:2–4 KJV 1900

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. 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.

The Command

When ye pray - not if

It’s more than being taught how to pray. We need to

The Pattern of prayer involves:

a) Approaching Him in Praise

First, we are praying to God the Father.

We pray to God the Father, by God the Holy Spirit because of the authority of Jesus!

This teaches that true prayer is based on a relationship we have with God because of what Jesus did for us.

While many people say they believe in prayer, only Christians can pray to the God in heaven!

We can have a relationship with God because Jesus took our place.

“I don’t think I can, I’ve been too bad. Or God doesn’t hear my prayer.”

It could be that you are lost tonight.

The bible says that we have all sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God.

Because of our sin, we are separated from God, declared guilty, and get this - spiritually dead.

The only way to have a relationship with God is to be perfect.

You and me, we have only ONE Hope!

Jesus. Jesus is God, and He came down to the earth to bridge the gap from us to God.

How did He do that? He came and was made in the likeness of man. He lived in a human body.

Never sinned, and offered Himself (a perfect sacrifice) to die in our place!

Jesus died on a cross not so that we can do whatever we want to do. He died on the cross to demonstrate God’s love (Romans 5), and by His obedience he makes us righteous. Anyone who believes in Him!

Have you believed in Jesus?

Luke 11:2 KJV 1900

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.

Look at that first phrase:

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name...”

What does Hallowed mean?

To regard as holy.

Our prayers don’t make God holy, He already is. Our prayers regard God holy in our hearts!

Why are we regarding His name to be hallowed?

“Thy Name” speaks of God and all of His attributes:

Psalm 8:1 KJV 1900

O Lord our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Love. Holiness. Purity. Sovereign.

Remind me of how Good You are!!

This prayer is all about You!! Not about me.

Jesus taught to approach Him in Worship, and also to:

b) Accepting His Plan

Luke 11:2 KJV 1900

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.

“Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.”

Way before you ask your needs, ask God to remind you of His ultimate purpose.

“Prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.” - unknown

“Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what He wants so that His name is glorified.” - Warren Wiersbe.

Can I share a truth with y’all?

Romans 12:2 - God’s will is good, acceptable and perfect. It’s for His glory, and His name.

God’s will is not for everyone to become a conservative.

God’s will is for us to love others.

God’s will is for us to seek Him first, and all His righteousness.

Be a light.

Be the salt.

When is the last time we begged God to save someone for His glory? When is the last time we acknowledged that it is about His will, and accepted that at whatever the costs.

c) Asking for His Provision

Luke 11:3 KJV 1900

Give us day by day our daily bread.

Give us what we need.

Why is this part so important?

Daily bread.

Many of us are so focused on the

John 15:7 KJV 1900

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

d) Abolish my Pride

Luke 11:4 KJV 1900

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.

Forgive me when I’ve fallen short.

I’m a son of You, I don’t want any sin to come between us.

Forgive me the way I forgive others.

If you are going to forgive me the way I’ve forgiven others, I better NOT be holding on to bitterness.

“But Hayden, you have no idea how bad that person hurt me. You are right, but we don’t fully understand how bad our sin hurt Jesus.”

If Jesus can forgive me for all the sins ive ever committed, certainly I can forgive someone for hurting me.

Keep me from evil.

Closing:

Today is my beautiful bride’s birthday. Her name is Hailey. :D

She always says, “position is greater than intention.”

Ultimately, we can read all 1,171 books from Lifeway.

We can listen to all the sermons. We can hear all the outlines. But prayer is most effective when we obey God and do it.

Tonight, maybe you need to be saved?

Maybe you just need to ask God to forgive you for the sin that has broken your fellowship with Him.

Maybe you want to join me in this altar and say, “Lord, thank You for showing me how to pray. Help me use the lesson from Jesus to talk with You each day.

Can I just ask that some of you join me in the altar tonight to simply beg God to save people in this world?