Prayers Secret.

Prayers Secret.

Luke 11:1-4NIV

“Prayer—secret, fervent, believing prayer—lies at the root of all personal godliness."

William Carey

“Prayer is the breath of the new creature."

Richard Baxter

AB Simpson once said, Prayer is the link that connects us with God. It is the bridge that spans every gulf and bears us over every

abyss of danger or of need. How significant is this picture of the New Testament church: Peter in prison, the Jews triumphant, Herod supreme, the arena of martyrdom awaiting the dawning of the morning. “But prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.”

And what is the sequel? The prison open, the apostle free, the Jews baffled, the wicked king divinely smitten, and the Word of God rolling on in greater victory. Do we know the power of our supernatural weapon? Do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that commands as well as asks? God grant us holy audacity and divine confidence. He is not wanting great men, but He is wanting men that will dare to prove the greatness of their God.

Luke 11:1-4NIV One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 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 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.

The very first thing that jumps out at me upon reading these scriptures—Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray. In return, Jesus’ rebuttals, when you pray…

Jesus doesn’t stop by teaching His disciples the famous Lord’s prayer. No, He talks to His disciples on persistence, and believing…

Jesus taught, Luke 11:9-10NKJV “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

He teaches—go, ask, ask again, and believe. Believe in what you’re asking for! He teaches them to—reflect, find your anxieties, and then, and only then—speak loudly of God’s greatness, and His attributes.

God is—Omnipresent—He’s everywhere. You can call on Him.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

God is—Omnipotent—All powerful, All Mighty.

God is—Omniscient—All knowing, He’s the Master of discernment.

Ask—Tell Him what you need.

Seek—Go after Him.

Knock—Be faithful, Tend the garden God’s given you. Learn contentment, lasting happiness and satisfaction.

Jesus goes on and say’s, “If a son ask for a fish, his father won’t give him a serpent.’ ‘If a son ask for bread, his father won’t give him a rock instead.”

Luke 11:13NKJV 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!”

Six times in the gospels, Jesus uses the term “how much more.”

“Our God is a how much more God!” P.H

Theres several points I want to give you from this teaching Jesus gives us about prayer.

First, Jesus practiced what He taught.

Luke 11:1TPT One day, as Jesus was in prayer, one of his disciples came over to him as he finished and said, “Would you teach us a model prayer that we can pray, just like John did for his disciples?”

What was Jesus doing when His disciples ask Him to teach them to pray? Jesus was in prayer.

Notice, Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray as John taught His disciples.

John taught, "Prepare us for your coming kingdom.” Jesus taught "May your kingdom come”

Remember this, Because of Jesus and His complete sacrifice God’s Kingdom came, and is coming.

There are 94 instances of Jesus praying.

Hebrews 5:7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.

Luke 3:21Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, heaven was opened,

Matthew 14:23 After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

Mark 6:46 After bidding them farewell, He left for the mountain to pray.

Luke 6:12 It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

Mark 1:35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.