Lord, Teach Us to Pray

Luke 8-13 we have a great encouragement to pray to the Lord who wants to hear us and will hear us. Prayer is characterization of the Christian. We have our doubts and may feel it’s not enough. Daniel was a prayer warrior. When he was thrown into the lions den he prayed. Hanna prayed Elijah prayed. Esther prayed for success and favor. We look at these examples and we feel inadequate, or we have grown weary. Jesus teaches us to pray, and He is the reason we can be confident in prayer. We are sons by adoption. V2 when you pray say:

Luke 11:2-4 (NKJV) 2 So He said to them, “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. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 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.”

False religion always claims it loves God but hates his neighbor. True religion loves God and neighbor. Jesus teaches the most important service is sitting and listening to His Word. And Prayer. Who can love God or neighbor without prayer? The Holy Spirit brings up here the need for prayer. Abbreviation is not error and neither is variation. The Holy Spirit is trying to emphasizing something. Luke has a broader audience from Matthew (primarily Jewish audience). Do not repeat prayers like the pagans do. Pray with understanding not mindless repetition. All our provisions come from Him. We can come to God corporately in prayer “our Father” and individually “Father.” — The Father hears His son, and they are heard. John 17 Jesus prays for those who will hear..

Luke 11:13 (NKJV) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”