I. JESUS' PRAYER LIFE INSPIRES A REQUEST
A. JESUS WAS PRAYING IN A SPECIFIC LOCATION - Luke 11:1a
1. The Gospels give us insights into Jesus' prayer habits:
a. He rose early to pray alone - Mark 1:35
b. He often went to the wilderness to pray - Luke 5:16
c. He prayed all night before choosing His apostles - Luke 6:12-13
d. He offered a profound prayer in John 17
e. He prayed intensely in Gethsemane - Matthew 26:36-44
f. He prayed even from the cross - Matthew 27:46; Luke 23:34,46
2. His example clearly influenced those around Him.
B. A DISCIPLE ASKS JESUS TO TEACH THEM TO PRAY - Luke 11:1b
1. Just as John the Baptist had taught his followers.
2. Although this disciple likely knew something about prayer, he recognized that Jesus had deeper insights to share.
II. JESUS PROVIDES A MODEL FOR PRAYER
A. KNOWN AS "THE LORD'S PRAYER"
1. Found in Luke 11:2-4 (KJV)
2. Also in the Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6:9-13
B. THIS PRAYER IS A TEMPLATE
1. Jesus says "After this manner therefore pray ye" (Matthew 6:9), indicating it's a model, not something to be repeated verbatim every time.
2. From this, we learn both how to pray and what to pray for.
How to pray: with simplicity
• In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus warns against vain repetitions.
• The Lord's Prayer is brief and to the point - Luke 11:2-4
What to pray for:
• Honor God's name: "Hallowed be thy name" - Luke 11:2
• Pray for God's kingdom and will: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" - Luke 11:2
• Ask for daily needs: "Give us day by day our daily bread" - Luke 11:3
• Seek forgiveness and forgive others: "And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us" - Luke 11:4
• Request guidance and protection: "And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil" - Luke 11:4
III. THE PARABLE OF THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT
A. SUMMARY OF THE PARABLE
1. Imagine you have unexpected guests and not enough food.
2. You decide to ask a friend for help, even though it's late at night.
3. Your friend is already in bed and might not want to get up.
4. But if you keep knocking and asking, he will eventually help you because of your persistence - Luke 11:5-8
B. THE KEY LESSON
1. Jesus uses this story to teach the importance of persistence in prayer.
2. Truly knowing how to pray includes learning to be persistent.
[In that culture, hospitality was crucial, and failing to provide for a guest would bring shame. So, persistence pays off even with a reluctant friend.]
IV. APPLYING THE PARABLE: PERSISTENCE AND TRUST
A. PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER - Luke 11:9-10
1. Jesus says to ask, seek, and knock, and you will receive, find, and have doors opened.
2. The verbs imply ongoing action: keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.
3. This progression shows that prayer involves starting with asking, then seeking more deeply, and finally knocking when close to the answer.
4. Lack of persistence might be why some prayers seem unanswered.
B. TRUSTING THE FATHER'S GOODNESS - Luke 11:11-13
1. Jesus compares God to earthly fathers:
a. No father would give a stone instead of bread, a snake instead of a fish, or a scorpion instead of an egg.
b. These questions expect a "no" answer.
C. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. If imperfect human fathers give good gifts, how much more will our perfect heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. (see John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32).
a. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate gift, empowering us to live according to God's will.
2. If persistence works with a friend and human fathers give good gifts, then certainly persistence in prayer to our loving Father will be rewarded.
CONCLUSION
We might know what words to say in prayer, but this passage teaches us that true prayer involves persistence. Jesus emphasizes this so much that He told another parable about a persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8).
From this lesson, remember:
• We have a heavenly Father who is eager to give good gifts to His children, especially the Holy Spirit.
• This should encourage us to pray persistently.
