Foundations: The Persistence of Prayer
September 11, 2022

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Foundations: The Persistence of Prayer

Luke 11:1-14
Pastor Darrin Mariott

Big Idea: We can pray with persistence and confidence knowing that God is loving and just.

I. The Primer on Prayer (v. 1-4)
Luke 11:1-4
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, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. ’”

A. Jesus knew and lived the power of prayer. It was common for Him to pray for hours at a time, and His disciples noticed (v. 1; cf. Mk. 1:35-37; Lk. 5:15-16). On this occasion, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them, and He obliged.

B. Jesus taught His disciples, and He teaches us, that prayer:

1. Is personal (v. 2) – We don’t pray to an abstract idea, but to the Living God who is our Heavenly Father

2. Should seek God’s glory (v. 2) – Prayer should focus on God’s will and His majesty (cf. Matt. 6:33)

C. The point in this model of prayer is not so much a liturgy to recite, but an attitude and approach that draws us closer to God and more dependent on Him. Jesus is more interested that we pray from our heart than by heart (cf. Matt. 6:5-8)
Matthew 6:5-8
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

4. Is an expression of faith in God who can and does act on our behalf

II. Persistence in Prayer (v. 5-11)
Luke 11:5-11
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 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 a fish, will give him a snake instead?

A. Jesus expands on prayer by emphasizing the importance of persevering in it. Jesus knows our tendency to grow weary and at times lose sight of God’s faithfulness. But if fallible human fathers still care for their children, how much more will our heavenly Father, who is perfect, care for us when we ask Him.

B. We see that we are to pray:
1. With boldness – Not arrogance, but confidence
2. With a child-like faith
3. With earnestness
4. With persistence (cf. Lk. 18:1-8)