Talking to our Heavenly Father

Luke 11:1 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,[fn]

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come.[fn]

3 Give us each day our daily bread.

4 Forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.[fn]

And lead us not into temptation.[fn]’ ”

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity[fn] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[fn] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (NIV)

Luke 11:1-13 Jesus is teaching the disciples about prayer. There are five points to consider in the thirteen verses.[1] The keywords are Father, Kingdom come, bread, forgiving sins, and temptation. Jesus was accused of referring to God as his father. These accusations were continued as Jesus attempted to explain God is our Father. God’s name is to held as holy. The coming of God’s Kingdom is being sought. The bread is described as nourishment for life. The forgiveness of sins is acknowledging that God will forgive us for our sins as we ask. The temptation of sin is misunderstood because God cannot cause a man to sin. The request is to be understood as a prayer for strength to keep us from situations that would lead us into sinful situations. Jesus has demonstrated that prayer is essential. He often prayed alone for many hours. Next Jesus offers two parables. The first is about a bold neighbor and the second a comparison of a human father and God. The passage compares and contrasts sinful humans loving earthly father with God.

The neighbor arrives after the lights are off and all is quiet to ask for bread. The requested person will not leave without the bread. The request is answered because of the persistence. In the example of the human father, he provides his child with good not evil. Our Heavenly Father all possible good things for his children. It only requires that we ask, with the right heart.

Jesus prayed at the Mount of Olives that he would not have to go to the cross, but it was required of him. Somethings are a requirement and accepting an answer of no is difficult but continue to talk to God in prayer.

The current hearers would understand that Jesus is explaining the importance of prayer. He is instructing the listeners to pray for the comforter or Holy Spirit.[2] They would understand prayer as means of communicating fears and stress.

How do you pray to God? Do you pray continuously, knowing that the prayer will be answered? The scripture instructs us to pray for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a guide to praying for things of God.

Bibliography

Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, 199-265. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984.

[1] John A. Martin, “Luke,” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament edited by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 1984), 234-235.

[2] Ibid., 235.