Lord Teach Us to Pray!
Luke 11:1, And it came to pass, that as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord teach us to pray,...........
Millions pray the Lord’s Prayer each day not understanding that when Jesus taught them He was giving them the blueprint how to pray rather than just some words we can memorize. In this outline I am just giving a couple of points on how to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Because if we can learn this, we then can pray as Jesus prayed. When He prayed, lots of things happened. Years ago I wrote a book titled ’Lord Teach Us to Pray". It has been translated into many languages over the years and back in the 70’s is was a best seller in the country of Slovene for several months among the Christian Population. We have it listed on our website for purchase www.tonyabram.com.
Illustration in Africa of an open-air crusade when they looked to me for the answer to their prayer. I then taught them this that man is not whom we direct our prayers to but to Our Heavenly Father.
I. What were the disciples really saying, Lord, we want to pray the way you do because when you pray things happen!
A. The sick are healed, the multitudes are fed. The water is turned to wine.
1. Lord when you pray things happen.
B. He did not say, sorry fellows you are not good enough, worthy enough.
you much first go to Bible School.
C. We can pray this because of our standing with the Lord.
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
II. Millions of people pray every day and their prayers are not answered.
A. They even pray in hell. The rich man prayed in 16 chapter of Luke but his prayers were not answered.
B. Prayers can only be answered here while we are on earth.
III. What we call the Lord’s prayer is what Jesus gave us for a pattern or example of how to pray.
A. Some of us can pray it 100 mph from memory and it is just words.
1. It was given as a pattern how to pray and not as a ritual.
IV. Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven.
A. The first thing needed to pray like Jesus prayed is to have a Father-son relationship with Him.
John 1:12, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
I John 3:1-2, Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
2Cor. 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1. The first prayer God ever hears from us is the Sinner’s Prayer.
a. The illustration of the Pharisee and the sinner.
B. Our prayers must be directed to the Father, not saints, Mary or even Jesus.
1. We call on Jesus for salvation.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
V. Hollowed be thy name. There is not other name like the Name of Jesus.
A. Prayers that are answered must not only be directed to the Father but must
be in the Name of Jesus Christ.
B. There is no Name like His Name. God’s authority is given to the Church through that Name.
C. We do not pray to Jesus, we pray to the Father in Jesus Name.
1. You may say, did not Jesus say in John 14:13-14, And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it.
a. In verse 16 He tells us He will send another Comforter, this is the Holy Spirit.
b. Then look what happens after He goes away, He tells us in:
John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my Name, ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
D. If you want to see the answer to your prayers begin by having a relationship with God.
E. Know Him as your Heavenly Father.
a. This can happen when we open our hearts to Christ and we become the children of God. John 1:12 (KJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
b. Walk and talk to Him by living in His Word and Spirit.
For more help and info on this subject go to www.tonyabram.com.
