Theme: Dimensions of Prayer
Text: Luke 11:1-13
Introduction to the Prayer:
Jesus was praying in a certain place. Something motivated the disciples to come closer to the Lord. They could have astonished, amazed, and desired to pray like Jesus. Disciples learned many things from the lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Only one area they could not put into practice was prayer life. Jesus, again and again, spoke about prayer and its vitality. Disciples had seen the power of prayer – by casting out demons, by preaching the word, by healing sick people.
Disciples never asked Jesus how to perform miracles, how to preach effectively but they asked Jesus to teach them on Prayer. The Prayer Life of Jesus was part and parcel of his ministry. Luke records everything carefully with all notations (Luke 3:21, 5:16, 6:12, 9:18, 9:28, 10:21-22, 11:1, 22:41-4, 23:46).
Jesus prayed alone (Luke 5:14). Jesus used to pray long prayers as well as short prayers. He prayed early morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and at nights too. Jesus often withdrew for prayers (Luke 5:16). Jesus spent the whole night in prayer (Luke 6:12).
Franck DeCensom one of the contributors to the CBN.com says Jesus’ prayer life reveals that Jesus was ‘having an advanced intimate relationship with the Father and also having a friendship with God’ (John 8:16, 16:32, 8:28-29). His ministry for 24 hrs a day, seven days a week did not prevent him to spend time in prayer, he engaged himself in conversation with Father and with the Spirit (Luke 5:15-16).
Jesus taught them three kinds of Prayer: First is Daily prayer, second is demanding prayer and desirable prayer.
Daily Prayer – Lord’s Prayer
(Luke 10:2-4)
This is the beautiful simple prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray on daily basis. We can begin every day and end every day with this prayer. We can begin every occasion with this prayer and we can end with this prayer.
The Lord’s prayer teaches us to pray for daily supplies, securities, daily salvation, and daily sanctification. Wherever the name of God is hollowed, exalted, given importance there the Kingdom of God has established in righteousness and justice. Then there is daily bread for all, forgiveness is practiced, and God delivers the faithful from the time of trial.
Address God as Father, have an intimate relationship with him to enjoy the relationship and fellowship (v. 2). We pray to God who exists in heaven and we don’t pray to an object on earth. Only hollow his name, we respect you and pledge to be faithful to praise only your name. Establish your kingdom, Your kingdom area is wider and limitless.
Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven (v. 2). We desire to fulfill his will and wish on the earth. We desire something good and we may not get what we want. But God’s desire is fulfilled in our lives.
Ask for daily bread, daily light, daily grace, daily compassion, and daily anointing (v. 3). Exodus 16:4 each morning go out and seek the bread rained for you before the sun rises. It means that God sustains and nourishes our life. it is a prayer for daily bread, not a warehouse of bread. “The prayer is for our needs, not our greed. It is for one day at a time, reflecting the precarious lifestyle of many first-century workers who were paid one day at a time and for whom a few day’s illnesses could spell tragedy”(ref:enduringword.com).
Forgive us every time, cleanse us from all unrighteousness and unfaithfulness (v. 4). Righteous and moral debts need to be forgiven. It is based on the relationship and presence with God and each other. God’s presence, life, love, beauty, generosity, compassion, forgiveness, wisdom, justice, mercy(ref:interruptingthesilence.com).
Keep us from all temptations, all snares, all plots, and all evil designs (v. 4). Help me not to make a more bad decision today. God sustains, nourishes, strengthens, empowers, emboldens, and enables us to face any circumstances of life. For yours the kingdom, power, and glory forever. Amen (v. 4). Nothing could shake us. I am completely under his power and dominion.
Demanding Prayers –
Lots of Prayers (Luke 10:05-10)
God has told this story of a friend knocking on the door of his friend at the midnight for help. Jesus appreciated the boldness and courage of that friend who had honored him for this blessing. The friend persistently asked his friend to help him at the hour of the need. The word Persistence refers to the shamelessness of the friend. It refers to the importance of the night prayer.
Prayer requires wrestling in the Spirit with passion and fervency. More prayer equals more help and more blessings from God. “Be careful with nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 4:6-7). This was true in the life of Paul, he learned this technic from his Master Jesus Christ.
They are not praying properly. They are praying to the wrong God. They are not praying for the right things. They are praying with the wrong motives. God will not pay attention to the prayers of the wicked who are praying for the wrong things. The prayer of the wicked is an abomination to God.
Desirable Prayers – Leading Prayer (Luke 10:11-13)
The divine prayer has to be filled with goodness. The anointing of the spirit brings all graceful things from the heavenly abode. Jesus told his disciples and the listeners that if the wicked parents can’t give bad things to their children then how God would give to his children who earnestly pray day and night.
God always answers, but sometimes says no. There are times we got more nos. It does not mean that we always asked unwisely. God refuses our request if it does not fall in tune with God’s will. Another explanation for the problem of unanswered prayer is that “everything happens for a reason.” God has some purpose in everything that happens. No matter how bad it may seem, it is all part of God’s plan to bring about some higher good as per Romans 8:28 (ref:workingpreacher.org).
Our parents are evil yet so kind. They are weak yet so knowing. They not only give but give with discretion, give what is best, in the best manner and time. They give education, wisdom, and knowledge. Our heavenly Father who infinitely excels the fathers of our flesh both in wisdom and goodness gives us the best of the bests, His Holy Spirit. (ref:biblegateway.com/Matthew Henry).
