On page 1042, Luke chapter 11, verse 1 to 13.
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.
He said to them, when you pray, say,
Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us,
and lead us not into temptation.
Then he said to them, suppose one of you has a friend,
and goes to him at midnight and says,
Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me,
and I have nothing to set before him.
Then the one inside answers, don't bother me.
The door is already locked, and my children are in bed.
I can't get up and give you anything.
I tell you, though he will not get up and give him bread because he is his friend,
yet because of the man's boldness,
he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
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.
For anyone who asks, receives,
he who seeks, finds,
and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you fathers,
if your son asks for a fish,
will we give him a snake instead?
Or if he asks for an egg,
will we give him a scorpion?
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 of him?
Thanks, Lucy.
Well, I haven't made a mistake.
In case you're wondering, you're thinking,
didn't we read this last week?
Yes, we did.
And we're using it simply as a basis,
a launch pad,
to help us understand prayer.
So we looked at it in depth last week.
And next week we'll be focusing in particular
on the prayer,
Father Hallowed Be Your Name,
and just following that through.
But today we're going to be looking at some parts from it
and launching us into other texts
to help us understand prayer.
So let's pray again and ask for God's help.
Father, we ask for your help in understanding your words.
You say we can ask for the Holy Spirit
and so we pray for your Holy Spirit
that he may fill us afresh
so that these words that we see on the page
are not just ordinary words
but life-changing words.
Words that enter our lives, as it were,
and change us on the inside,
helping us to understand who you are
and our place before you.
So please encourage us.
Father, please help us.
And Father, please bless us.
Amen.
As we start, I want to ask a couple of questions.
When we pray,
how long do you think we should pray for?
So if I pray for one hour,
is it more powerful than praying for just two minutes?
Or where should I pray?
If I prayed in a church building
with candles and some nice soft music,
is that better than praying in the car
with the radio blaring?
Or what should I say in prayer?
If I pray using complicated theological language
and threw in a few these and thous,
do you think it's better than
praying like you would talk to a friend?
Well, when it comes to prayer,
it's not about the words we use,
it's not about the place we go to,
or the length of time that it takes.
As one writer has put it,
prayer is nothing more or nothing less
than a child asking her father for help.
And that can take five hours or two seconds.
It could happen in a church or in a car.
It could be carefully prepared
or it could be a sudden outburst of emotion.
So when the disciples in verse 1
came to Jesus and they said,
Lord, teach us to pray.
In verse 2, Jesus said to them,
when you pray, say,
Father.
That word, Father, is the same word
a child would use when they are calling out
to their earthly father for help.
Dad!
It's one of intimacy.
It's a relationship.
So here Jesus is inviting us
to join him in relationship with his father.
And as we thought of earlier at the beginning,
because of Jesus' death on the cross,
we now have access to the father.
So the relationship that Jesus had with his father
is now our relationship.
Prayer is not some duty to perform.
It is a relationship between a child
and their father.
So in verse 9 we read,
So I say to you,
Ask, ask the father,
and it will be given to you.
Seek and you will find.
Knock and the door will be opened to you.
You see, in prayer we are coming to a father
who listens and who answers
and who generously gives good gifts.
Verse 13,
If you then, though you are evil,
and this there is talking about earthly fathers,
if you though are evil,
know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more
will your father in heaven give?
So prayer is nothing more or nothing less
than a child asking their heavenly father for help.
But how we ask is all important.
And that's what we're going to consider.
Two big things we're going to look at this morning.
First, we pray in dependence.
We pray in dependence.
When we pray,
yes, we are talking to our father.
But look at what kind of father he is.
We saw this last week.
In chapter 10, verse 21,
it says this.
Chapter 10, verse 21.
At that time,
Jesus, full of joy,
through the Holy Spirit said,
I praise you,
Father,
Lord of heaven and earth.
Our father is the sovereign,
all-powerful Lord.
The fact that he is Lord
means he is the creator
of the universe.
He controls all that he has made
and he rules over
all that he has made.
He is Lord
of heaven and earth.
The disciples themselves
learnt this very early on
as they prayed.
So keep your finger in Luke chapter 11
and jump to Acts chapter 4.
Acts chapter 4.
Acts, of course,
is the second book
that Luke wrote.
And in Acts chapter 4,
it's,
Jesus has gone back to heaven.
He has sent his spirit.
And there's been a lot of persecution
and struggle for the disciples.
And they've been put in prison
and they've just been released.
So in Acts chapter 4, verse 23,
we read this.
On their release,
Peter and John went back
to their own people
and reported all that
the chief priests and elders
had said to them.
When they heard this,
they raised their voices together
in prayer to God.
So they're in a time of crisis,
a time of difficulty,
and immediately they turn
to God in prayer.
And look what they say.
Verse 24,
Sovereign Lord,
they said,
you made the heaven
and the earth
and the sea
and everything in them.
Our Father
is the Sovereign One.
He rules over the entire universe.
He controls the weather patterns
when it rains
and where it is sunny.
He upholds the forces of nature,
the movements of the planets,
the seas and the tides.
And our Father
rules over the actions of people.
So as we read on in their prayer,
verse 27,
they remember the time
when Jesus,
where the plot was
to get rid and kill Jesus.
So verse 27,
Indeed, Herod and Pontius Pilate
met together with the Gentiles
and the people of Israel
in this city
to conspire against
your holy servant,
Jesus,
whom you anointed.
And they did kill him,
but look what they say next.
Verse 28,
They did
what your power and will
had decided beforehand
should happen.
God, our Father,
decides
what people do
and he makes it
a part of his plan.
He controls
the evil actions
of people
and he uses it
for something good,
in this case,
the salvation
of the world.
And not only that,
our Father rules
over the lives
of every single person.
So jump to
Acts chapter 17.
This isn't a prayer,
but it's reminding us
of who God is.
Acts chapter 17,
verse 24.
The God who made
the world
and everything in it
is the Lord
of heaven and earth.
That same phrase.
And he doesn't live
in temples built by hands.
You can't constrain him.
You can't box him in.
Verse 25,
And he is not served
by human hands
as if he needed anything,
because he himself
gives all men
life and breath
and everything else.
He is the
all-sufficient one.
And he sustains
everyone else
and everything else.
But look at this,
verse 26.
From one man
he made
every nation
of men,
that they should
inhabit the whole earth.
And he determines
the time set for them
and the exact places,
the exact places
where they should live.
Our Father controls
where you and I live
and for how long
we live.
He decides
when we are born
and whereabouts
we were born.
Our Father
is Lord
of heaven and earth.
He rules over
all things
and all people.
So when we come
to pray,
yes we are praying
to our Father,
but we come to our Father
in dependence,
recognising
that I am not
in charge,
but he is.
knowing that I
can't control life,
but he does.
We come to our
Father in heaven
who holds
everything
in his hands,
the entire universe,
every detail
about our life
is in his hands.
Nothing
is outside
of his sovereign rule.
So we pray
to our Father
in dependence,
but
with confidence.
Go back to Luke
chapter 11.
You see,
if our Father
is
Lord of heaven
and earth,
then we can pray
with confidence.
We can say,
verse 9,
I say to you,
ask and it will
be given to you.
Seek and you
will find.
Knock and the door
will be open
to you.
We are invited
to come and ask
our Father,
who is all-powerful
and all-controlling.
So we pray
with a confidence.
Not a confidence
in us,
but a confidence
in our Father.
We pray
with this
expectation
that God
can
intervene
into this world,
into any
situation,
and he can
intervene
into our lives
and into the
lives of other
people.
That's why
we pray
for rulers
and authorities.
That's why
we pray
for countries,
because he
can change
the heart
of a ruler.
He can change
the direction
of a nation.
He can change
the actions
of evil people
and he can
turn it to good.
He can change
the lives
of ordinary
people so
that they
too become
followers of
Jesus and
that they
become like
Jesus.
And he can
change you
and me.
He can change
our sinful
habits so
that we
become the
kind of
people he
wants us
to be.
You know,
sometimes we
don't pray
because we
don't really
believe our
Father is
Lord of
heaven and
earth.
Do you
believe he's
Lord of
heaven and
earth?
That he's
all powerful
and all
controlling?
A writer
put it like
this.
We
overestimate
what we
can do
and we
underestimate
what God
can do.
We don't
pray simply
because we
think it's
all about
what I
have to
do and
somehow
that God
is just
not able
to do
it.
We
overestimate
what we
can do
and we
underestimate
what God
can do so
we don't
pray.
But here
we have this
wonderful
invitation.
That's what
Luke 11 is
about, this
invitation to
pray
independence
on an
all-powerful,
all-controlling
God.
we can
come with
confidence,
we can
come with
an expectation
that God
who made
the universe
can intervene
in our lives
and in our
world.
Verse 10,
for everyone
who asks
receives
and he
who seeks
finds
and to him
who knocks
the door
will be
opened.
So,
prayer is
nothing more
than a
child
asking their
father for
help.
We pray
as children
to our
father
independence
but with
confidence
and expectation.
And second,
we pray
in humility.
When
we pray
we are
talking to
our father
but we
don't come
demanding
and insisting
from our
father that
we get
everything
that we
ask for.
It doesn't
work like
that.
Look how
Jesus
prayed.
So,
in verse 1
of chapter 11
we just get
this little
insight.
One day
Jesus was
praying
in a
certain
place.
Now,
if you
read through
Luke,
you'll
discover
that Jesus
prays in
all kinds
of different
ways.
In Luke
5,
16,
we read
there that
Jesus
prayed on
his own
and in
a solitary
place.
In Luke
9,
verse 28,
we read
that Jesus
prayed up
a mountain
and with
his disciples.
Sometimes
he prayed
really short
prayers,
sometimes
he was
praying
all night
long.
But the
place of
prayer and
the length
of prayer
is not
the issue.
Look at
Luke
chapter 22.
Jesus
was a
prayer.
And if
Jesus
needed to
pray,
how much
more do
we need
to pray?
And here
in Luke
22,
we see
how Jesus
prayed with
humility.
Verse 39,
this is just
before his
death.
He's facing
into his
coming death.
Chapter 22,
verse 39,
Jesus went
out as
usual to
the Mount
of Olives.
That was
one of the
places he
often went
to pray.
And his
disciples
followed him.
On reaching
the place,
he said to
them,
pray that
you will
not fall
into
temptation.
He
withdrew
about a
stone's
throw
beyond
them,
knelt
down,
and prayed.
And here's
what he
prayed.
Father,
it's that
same word
again,
this cry
of help.
Father,
help.
If you
are willing,
take this
cup from
me.
Jesus is
about to
face into
the most
horrendous,
the most
difficult
situation
in his
life.
He is
about to
face the
rejection
of all
his family
and his
friends.
He's
about to
face the
insults
and
injustices
of false
accusations.
He is
about to
face the
physical
torture,
of beatings,
of a
crown of
thorns being
crushed in
his head,
being nailed
to a
cross.
And most
of all,
he is
going to
face the
judgment
of God
for us,
being
abandoned
by the
Father
for us.
This is
physical,
emotional,
mental,
and spiritual
suffering in
its ultimate
and greatest
form.
and so
he prays,
verse 42,
Father,
help me.
If you
are willing,
take this
cup from
me.
Do not
let me have
to go
through this.
He knows
his Father
is Lord
of heaven
and earth.
He knows
that his
Father is
all-powerful
and all-controlling.
He knows
he can do
anything,
but look
what he says
in his
prayer.
Look at the
last part
of verse
42.
Yet
not
my
will,
but
yours
be done.
Incredible.
Jesus
doesn't
come
demanding
and
insisting.
He
doesn't
whine
and
whinge.
He's
not
stamping
his
feet
in
protest
like
a
spoiled
child.
He
humbly
submits
himself
to
his
loving
Father
who
always
does
what
is
right
and
best
even
in
times
of
great
suffering.
Not
what I
want,
but what
you want,
Father.
Not
what
pleases
me,
but what
will
please
you,
Father.
Not
what I
demand,
but what
will bring
glory and
honour to
you,
Father.
you
see,
all of
our
prayers
should
be
prayed
with
humility.
Not
demanding
and
insisting
and
telling
God
that
he
should
do
this
and
he
should
do
that,
but
a
simple
not
what
I
will,
but
what
you
will.
Back
in
Luke
11,
we
are
told
what
we
can
ask
for
and
know
that
we
will
receive
it.
In
verse
13,
we
are
told
how
much
more
will
your
Father
in
heaven
give
the
Holy
Spirit
to
those
who
ask
him.
Now
why
would
he
be
telling
us
to
ask
for
the
Holy
Spirit?
What's
the
Spirit
got
to
do
with
prayer?
Well
this
is
really
important
and
I
want
us
to
follow
this
through
in
line
with
our
Romans
chapter
8
And
we
see
here
the
reason
or
the
purpose
of
asking
for
the
Holy
Spirit
when
we
come
to
pray.
Romans
8
verse
26
In
the
same
way
the
Spirit
helps
us
in
our
weakness
so
it's
talking
about
times
of
real
need
and
struggle
the
Spirit
helps
us
in
our
weakness
we
do
not
know
what
we
ought
to
pray
for
but
the
Spirit
himself
intercedes
for
us
with
groans
that
words
cannot
express
and
he
that's
the
Father
who
searches
our
hearts
knows
the
mind
of
the
Spirit
because
the
Spirit
intercedes
for
the
saints
people
like
you
and
me
in
accordance
with
God's
will
to
pray
and
they
don't
know
what
we
ought
to
pray
for
have
you
ever
been
in
that
time
in
that
experience
the
situation
is
just
so
big
it
seems
to
be
so
out
of
control
we
cannot
put
a
finger
on
what
the
problem
is
we
are
just
overwhelmed
with
everything
that
is
going
on
in
our
lives
and
all
around
us
and
we
don't
know
what
to
pray
for
we don't even know where to begin.
And at that moment, within our hearts,
it's almost as if it comes out in groans and agonies of cry
or perhaps a shout of frustration.
At that moment, verse 26,
the Spirit himself intercedes for us.
It's literally saying to us,
he joins with us.
The Spirit comes alongside us.
And he begins to pray for us on our behalf
what is good and what is right.
Because he knows our hearts,
he knows what we need right then in our lives
and he prays for that, what is good and right.
But there's more than that.
You see, even if we do pray,
sometimes in those moments of crisis and difficulty and struggle,
sometimes what we do pray,
we can even pray for the wrong thing.
Or we even get our prayers in the wrong way.
But the Spirit takes those prayers.
Look at verse 27, the end of verse 27.
And the Spirit intercedes for the saints
in accordance with God's will.
It's telling us that he takes our prayers,
even the wrong prayers that we say.
But he knows the motive.
He knows the heart.
He knows that we're genuine.
He knows that we want what's right and good.
And he takes our prayers,
even the wrong ones,
and he translates them.
He brings them to the Father
so that the prayers we pray
are the right prayers.
And they are according to God's good and perfect will.
Isn't that incredible?
The Spirit comes alongside,
joins with us,
and prays what we should pray,
and even takes our wrong prayers
and makes them the right kind of prayer
so that they are in line with God's will.
This is a prayer of humility.
That is saying,
I don't always know what is God's will.
I don't know what is right or best in this situation
or in my life or in their life,
but the Spirit does.
And because the Spirit knows
what the Father wants
and what the Father wills,
the Spirit will always pray
what the Father wants
and what the Father wills.
So that's why we come in humility
and we pray with that simple request
for the Holy Spirit.
And he will pour out that Holy Spirit
generously upon us
so that all of our prayers
are according to God's good and perfect will.
Now that means
we don't always get what we ask for
or what we want.
Our Father doesn't hand out
everything and anything that we say we want.
But it does mean
that he will always give to us
what is good and right and best for us.
He will always give
what is according to his good and perfect will.
He knows his children.
He knows what we need.
And he will give us
and not withhold what we need.
And so we pray in humility.
But we also pray continually.
Back in Luke 11
as Jesus taught his disciples to pray
he says to them
in chapter 11 verse 9
I say to you
ask
and it will be given
seek and you will find
knock
and the door will be opened.
In reading through this
and studying it
it became clear that
this is a present
continuous asking.
It's not just a one off
ask
and then forget about it
and never ask again.
In other words
it's an encouragement to us
to keep on praying
and not give up.
We continually ask
we continually seek
we continually knock
we continually speak to our Father.
You see as we ask
sometimes the answer
might be simply this
not yet my child
not yet.
And so we pray continually
trusting in God's timing.
Our Father will always give us
what is good
when it is right.
Always gives us
what is good
when it is right.
And so sometimes
our experience
will be like this
we pray for something
and we receive it
right now.
We receive it
straight away.
We pray for an end
to some kind of suffering
or difficulty
in our lives.
We pray for God
to do a work
in somebody's life
and God intervenes
and it happens.
The suffering ends.
The person becomes
a Christian.
We pray for a change
in a circumstance
and God works
to bring something
different about.
He answers.
He does it.
But sometimes
what we ask for
the answer will be
not yet
it will come later.
Tim Chester
in his book
You Can Pray
I recommend it
to you
as a very
easy read.
He says this
about waiting
and praying
continually.
God is waiting
until the time
is right.
when you pray
for justice
the ultimate
answer may be
the final judgment.
When you pray
for peace
the ultimate
answer may be
the reign
of the Lord Jesus.
When you pray
for health
and healing
the ultimate
answer may be
your resurrection
body.
When you pray
for joy
the ultimate
answer may be
the wedding
feast of the Lamb.
And when you pray
for a sense
of God's
presence
the ultimate
answer may be
the day
when heaven
comes to earth
and a loud
voice from the
throne says
look
God's dwelling
is now
among the people
and he will
dwell with them
they will be
his people
and God himself
will be with them
and be their
gods.
we pray
continually
because we
can be assured
that God
will always
give us
what is good
when it is
right
and when it
is best
for us.
Verse 10
For everyone
who asks
receives
and he who
seeks finds
and to him
who knocks
the door
will be
opened.
we are
invited to
come to
a father
as children
who pray
to their
father
asking
for help
he gives
good gifts
but we
come to him
with
dependence
he is the
sovereign lord
of heaven
and earth
he is the
one with all
power who
controls all
things
we can
come with
confidence
with an
expectancy
that he
can intervene
into this
world and
into our
lives
but we
pray
with humility
not what I
want
but what you
want
what will
bring you
glory
what is best
for you
and what will
be best
for me
and we
do not
give up
in our
prayer
because he
will always
give what
is good
when
it is
right
let us
pray
our
father
god
forgive us
for the
times where
we
overestimate
what we
can do
and we
underestimate
what you
can do
for you
are lord
of heaven
and earth
all power
and all
authority
belongs to
you
you control
all things
you are in
charge of
our own
lives
so teach
us to
come and
pray in
confidence
but father
help us to
get our
relationship
with you
right
help us
that we
might come
in humility
that every
prayer will
be not
what I
want
but what
you will
and what
you desire
change us
so that we
fit in with
your purposes
and your
plans
and thank
you
that all
of our
prayers
whether we
pray once
or pray
for many
many years
you will
answer and
you will
give all
that is
good and
right
thank you
that we
can come
to you as
father
thank you
that you
give us
help when
we ask
and help
us
that we
may go
on talking
to you
through
this week
in jesus name
we pray
amen
do
need
to
care
where
you
your
train
or
you