Luke 11:1-13 "Pray Like This"

2. Jesus said to them, "When you pray, say this: 'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.'"

The disciples ask their teacher to teach them how to pray. Jesus shares with them what we know as the Lord's Prayer, instructing them to "pray like this."

Following the Lord's Prayer, Jesus shares a parable about someone who goes to a neighbor at midnight to borrow three loaves of bread for an unexpected friend who has arrived. The neighbor gives the bread, despite the late hour, to the one who set aside pride to ask for help for their friend.

Then Jesus tells them: ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. He explains that even sinful people, as parents, know how to give good gifts to their children who ask for food. How much more will God the Father give even better things than what we request!

The focus of the Lord's Prayer, the parable about asking for three loaves of bread for a friend, and the illustration of parents giving good gifts to their children seems to be less about "how to ask" and more about "who is the One who gives." Rather than teaching that if we pray fervently enough, all our requests will be granted, or that we should persist in prayer without ceasing, I believe Jesus is teaching us about the character of God.

God is holy and worthy of praise. God provides our daily bread. God forgives our sins. God protects us from falling into evil temptation. God understands our awkward situations and helps us save face. God desires to give us even better things than what we ask for.

Isn't Jesus revealing that this is who our Father God truly is?

What child wouldn't earnestly ask of a Father like this?

Prayer: Good Father, I pray knowing that You are just as Jesus described. May Your name be lifted high throughout the world. Provide my daily bread, help me maintain dignity, and give me enough to share with others. Holy Spirit, make me strong and courageous. Amen.