In today’s passage (Luke 11:1-4), Luke records the pattern of prayer that our Savior Jesus Christ taught His disciples. The Lord’s Prayer may be the most famous prayer in the world, so we must examine exactly what Christ taught us.
We know Jesus filled his life with prayer. Why does Jesus pray when He is God? It is the incarnate Christ in His humanity praying as a man in dependence and devotion to God the Father. His prayers were always according to God’s will and His prayers were wholly submissive to the Father.
Hebrews 5:7 – Christ offered prayers and supplications to the Father which were heard because they were reverent and submissive, this passage says.Here are a few examples of when and why Jesus prayed:
Mark 1:35 – Jesus prayed all night.
Luke 3:21-22 – Jesus prayed for a significant ministry burden; His baptism.
Luke 6:12-13 – Jesus prays before choosing His ministry leaders, the Apostles.
Luke 9 – Jesus prays prior to sending out His disciples; Jesus prays for their faith.
Matt. 14:23 – Jesus prays alone and asks God to protect His ministry from getting caught up in a political battle, instead of staying focused on His purpose of redemption.
Matt. 14:19 – Jesus prays over meals.
Mark 6:34-35 – Jesus prays after a full day of labor for strength.
Matt. 26:36-46 – Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane when He was deeply troubled in His spirit.
Luke 23:34 – Jesus prays for the forgiveness and redemption of sinners while being tortured and hanging on the cross.
John 17 – Jesus prays for His disciples and asks the Father to preserve them and bring them home, safely.In today’s passage, an unnamed disciple witnesses Jesus praying and wants to learn from Him.
He says, “Teach us to pray.”
He is a witness of Christ’s true prayers from a genuine heart, not like the Pharisees who prayed to be noticed.
It says, “after he was finished,” which suggests that this person was drawn to Jesus’ prayer and patiently waited. It was captivating to hear Christ’s:
Simple and clear prayers.
Humility and dependence.
Deep theological depth.
Selflessness
Insightfulness and prayer specificity
Compassion for the needy.
Prayers with an eternal under-current
Genuineness
Prayers as defined by God – His way and for His glory!
Prayers of unity and for the disciples being built-up in faith.
The central purpose of Christ’s prayers was, without a doubt, redemption.In Jesus’s instruction, we do not see a command to pray exactly these words. No, His instruction was to pray in this pattern. Christ gives us a benchmark. Luke’s outline is simple and just slightly different than the parallel passage in Matthew 6:9-13. Matthew includes, “Your will be done.” Luke just simplifies it in his pattern, “Your kingdom come;” His kingdom coming is His will, so Luke just leaves that out.
Breaking down the pattern that Luke provides, we could say it in four words. Christ’s prayer pattern includes exalting God’s:
Preeminence
Sustenance
Benevolence
DeliveranceToday, we will only get to the first point in this pattern provided by Christ. The entire patter provided by Christ includes five redemptive themes. You could call this our quick-reference theme guide:
Worship
Lordship
Leadership/Headship
Fellowship (Forgiving Heart)
GuardianshipThis morning, we will examine the first one, worship. Jesus teaches to reach and call out:
We have communion with the God of the universe and it is an intimate relationship. It is so intimate that we call him “Father”.
What a great privilege. We are adopted into His family and we are His sons.
In John 5:18, Christ called God, “Father” and was almost stoned.
And here, Christ is teaching us the same.
We don’t fear approaching Him, because we are His children and are drawn to a close relationship with Him.
Rom. 8:14ff we have adoption as sons and we cry out, “Abba Father”.
This term means, my cherished and affectionate Father.
We are the delight of our Father’s heart, just like our children are the delight of our hearts.
Communion with God is where all prayer begins.
Worship extends to humility. He is hallowed and set apart as exalted and holy.
Isaiah 29:23 – The work of God will cause those to in His midst to set apart His name as holy.
We pray to God and ask Him to bring glory to His name.
1 Peter 1:14ff
As obedient children, we call Him Father.
He is the one who impartially judges.
But, you are saved and now you have super natural confidence to go to Him.
Father is an expression of love.
In prayer, express the communion you have with your heavenly Father.
Confess your fear and self-pity that prevents you from seeking Him.
Express love, endearment and closeness.
Express, “I need you, Father.”
Express reverence for His holiness. Exalt His purity and extoll His character of goodness and mercy.
