What Jesus Did : Luke 11:1 - Lord, Teach Me to Pray!
by Phil Ware
Lord, Teach Me to Pray! - Luke 11:1
One time Jesus was praying in a place. When Jesus finished praying, one of his followers said to him, "John taught his followers how to pray. Lord, teach us how to pray too." (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
So many books have been written about prayer. Most of us have attended classes that chose prayer as their subject matter. Yet, when was the last time you gave serious time to looking in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and studying Jesus as he prayed, what he taught about prayer, and what the importance of prayer is? Why not commit to spending several months with a hilighter reading the Gospels? As we read, let's ask Jesus each day, "Lord, teach me to pray!" While we pray in the power and authority of Jesus' name every day, let's also commit to learning to pray as Jesus prayed.
Today's Prayer
Holy God and Almighty Father, thank you for giving me the avenue of prayer to speak with you, to seek you, and to come into your presence. I recognize that prayer is a gift from you, ensured and assisted by the intercession of your Son and the Holy Spirit. Please, dear Father, lead me and guide me in my efforts to learn to pray as your Son prayed and as he taught his disciples to pray. I long to draw nearer to you, to honor you more completely with all of my being, and to open my will up to your will. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
One time Jesus was praying in a place. When Jesus finished praying, one of his followers said to him, "John taught his followers how to pray. Lord, teach us how to pray too." Jesus said to the followers, "When you pray, pray like this: 'Father, we pray that your name will always be kept holy. We pray that your kingdom will come. Give us the food we need for each day. Forgive us the sins we have done, because we forgive every person that has done wrong to us. And don't let us be tempted (tested).'" Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you went to your friend's house very late at night and said to him, 'A friend of mine has come into town to visit me. But I have nothing for him to eat. Please give me three loaves of bread.' Your friend inside the house answers, 'Go away! Don't bother me! The door is already locked. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you the bread now.' I tell you, maybe friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread. But he will surely get up to give you what you need if you continue to ask. So I tell you, continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, if a person continues asking, that person will receive. If a person continues looking, that person will find. And if a person continues knocking, the door will open for that person. Does any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for a fish? Would any father give his son a snake? No! You would give him a fish. Or, if your son asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion ? No! {You are like all other people}—you are evil. But you know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to those people that ask him."-- Luke 11:1-13 (ERV)
URL: http://www.heartlight.org/wjd/luke/0713-wjd.html
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