Prayerful Persistence

Introduction

Luke 11:1–13 CSB

1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say, Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation.” 5 He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “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. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 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?”

Importance For Prayer (v. 1)

John the Baptist The Greatest of the prophets had to depend on Prayer

If prayer was that vital to a man who had these many advantages, how much more important it ought to be to us who do not have these advantages!

The greatest argument for the priority of prayer is the fact that our Lord was a Man of prayer.

He prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21),

before He chose the Twelve (Luke 6:12),

when the crowds increased (Luke 5:16),

before He asked the Twelve for their confession of faith (Luke 9:18),

At His Transfiguration (Luke 9:29)

The disciples knew that He often prayed alone (Mark 1:35)

Effective prayer is the provision for every need and the solution for every problem.

Blueprint For Prayer (v. 2-4)

There is nothing wrong with praying this prayer personally or as part of a congregation, so long as we do it from a believing heart that is sincere and submitted. How easy it is to “recite” these words and not really mean them, but that can happen even when we sing and preach! The fault lies with us, not with this prayer.

It teaches us that true prayer depends on a spiritual relationship with God that enables us to call Him “Father,” and this can come only through faith in Jesus Christ.

Lyndon Johnson’s press secretary, Bill Moyers, was saying grace at a staff lunch, and the President shouted, “Speak up, Bill! I can’t hear a thing!” Moyers quietly replied, “I wasn’t addressing you, Mr. President.” It is good to remind ourselves that when we pray, we talk to God.

It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what we want and then selfishly enjoying it. Prayer is asking God to use us to accomplish what He wants so that His name is glorified, His kingdom is extended and strengthened, and His will is done.

Devotion For Prayer (v. 5-8)

Prayer is Based on our relation to the father as Sons and Daughters

Why does our Father in heaven answer prayer? Not just to meet the needs of His children, but to meet them in such a way that it brings glory to His name. “Hallowed be Thy name.” When God’s people pray, God’s reputation is at stake. The way He takes care of His children is a witness to the world that He can be trusted.

Promises For Prayer (v. 9-13)

“Keep on asking … keep on seeking … keep on knocking.” In other words, don’t come to God only in the midnight emergencies, but keep in constant communion with your Father.

Because He knows us and loves us, we never need to be afraid of the answers that He gives.

This is not a magic formula for Self-Gratification

It should be assumed that the statement earlier affects-the way we interpret this statement.

Conclusion

Prayer is essential to our christian life it is our communication to the Father. We should not neglect it as many times we do.