God Answers "Knee Mail" Series

1. LBJ Prayer Story

When Lyndon Johnson was President, he had several guests in for a meal at the family room of the White House. LBJ had given the honor of praying for the meal to journalist Bill Moyers (an ex-Baptist minister). As Moyers began to softly pray, LBJ - who couldn’t understand what was being said, interrupted Moyers, "Speak up man." Without looking up and barely stopping in mid-sentence, Bill Moyers replied, "I wasn’t talking to you."

2. Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,

4 and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

And lead us not into temptation.” (Luke 11.1-4)

3. Prayer is a caught and taught activity

I. The Disciples Had A Sincere Aspiration (11.1)

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

A. They Had Made A Keen Observation

1. John and His Disciples

2. Yeshua (Jesus) and His Prayers

One person observed that – There are more than 20 references to Jesus prayer life.

a. He prayed often (Luke 5:16)

b. He prayed early in the Morning (Mark 1:35)

c. He prayed late at Night (Luke 6:12).

d. He prayed at the beginning of His ministry. . . (Luke 3:21-22)

e. He prayed before He chose His 12 disciples. . . (Luke 6:12-13)

f. He prayed all thru the night (Luke 6.12-13)

g. Jesus prayed before the confession that He was the Christ. . . (Luke 9:18-20)

h. Jesus prayed before His Transfiguration . . .( Luke 9:28-29)

i. Jesus prayed before He taught His followers. . . (Luke 11:1)

j. He prayed while He was teaching others. . . (Matthew 11:25-26)

k. He prayed after He ministered to others. . . (Matthew 14:23)

l. Jesus prayed before healing the crowds. . . (Mark 1:35)

m. Jesus prayed before feeding the 5,000.( Mark 6:41)

n. Jesus prayed before healing the man who was deaf and mute. . . (Mark 7:34)

o. Jesus prayed before bringing the dead back to life . . .( John 11:41-43)

p. Jesus prayed for His friends. . . (Luke 22:32)

q. Jesus prayed for His disciples. . (John 17:9-16)

r. Jesus prayed for all Christians. . . (John 17:20)

s. Jesus prayed before the cross . . . (Luke 22:39-42)

t. Jesus prayed on the cross . . . (Luke 23:34)

u. Jesus prayed with disciples after his resurrection (Luke 24)

v. And now Constant Intercession (Hebrews 7:25

3. Our Observation of the Early Church – Acts 2.42-47

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

B. They Had High Expectations in Prayer

1. Opposition to Enemies – “Fire from Heaven” (Elijah – 2 Kings 1)

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village. Luke 9.51-55

2. Greatest in Kingdom – James and John – right and left hands

3. Prayer – more than a “Bat Signal”; Shopping List – Andrew Carnegie – I don’t pray because I do not need anything.”; Good Luck Charm (athletic events)

II. Yeshua (Jesus) Made A Simple Summation (Luke 11.2-4)

2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

“Father, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come.

3 Give us each day our daily bread,