Luke 11:1-13 • Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

What should I pray?

Prayer isn’t something you should instinctively know how to do. It’s something you learn, grow in, and get more accustomed to over time. Disciples of John the Baptizer needed to be taught. Followers of Jesus needed to be taught. We need to be taught.

And Jesus teaches them how to pray by modeling it for them.

• Is Jesus telling them to say these exact words every time they pray?

• What kinds of things are part of Jesus’ prayer? Tease out each element.

  • Praise: Wanting to see God’s name worshiped.

  • Power / Purpose: Wanting to see God’s kingdom take root.

  • Provision: Today’s needs, both physically and spiritually.

  • Protection: Not being drawn towards sin.

• Which of those elements show up regularly in your prayers? Which don’t? Why?

---

Why should I pray?

After modeling prayer, Jesus goes on to say why they should pray. God is moved…

• …by boldness in need.

  • What’s the analogy of the grumpy dad-friend who doesn’t want to be bothered to help in the middle of the night?

  • What is Jesus trying to tell us about God?

  • …about prayer?

• …when we’re asking, seeking, and striving to get his attention.

  • Jesus talks in such certain terms about God’s response to our prayers. What do you think that means?

  • How can people twist this passage to mean something unhelpful and untrue?

  • What’s the good news here?

• …to give good gifts.

  • If we know something of good gifts, they surely God does, too. Why does that matter?

  • What good gift does Jesus say the Father gives to those who ask?

  • How does that shift the way you understand God’s answer to prayer?

---