Prayer
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Tim Chang
Sermon Series: FWPSM
Luke 11:1-13 (ESV)
1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 And 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 and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Sermon Outline
1. A Vision for Prayer (v. 1-4)
[1] Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
[2] And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name.
[2b] Your kingdom come.
[3] Give us each day our daily bread, [4] and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.”
2. How to Pray (v. 5-10)
[5] And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, [6] for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’
[7] and [the neighbor] will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’?
[8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.
[9] And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
3. Who We Pray To (v. 11-13)
[11] What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; [12] or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Prayer of Confession
Our perfect Heavenly Father, you created us for rich intimacy and relationship with you. You have given us the gift of prayer to know you more deeply, but we have misused it to get things from you instead of wanting simply you. Forgive us. We thank you that you did not leave us separated from you, but you sent your Son, Jesus so that we might be adopted as your children. Through all that he has done, you invite us to draw near to you with confidence and boldness. Help us to cherish the gift of prayer so that we can know you more deeply. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What connected with you from the sermon or the passage?
What do you enjoy about prayer? What do you find challenging?
What do you think the disciples noticed in Jesus’ prayer life that made them ask him for teaching and guidance on prayer?
How might your prayer life look different if you approach God with shameless persistence?
What makes it difficult to approach God with unashamed boldness? What helps you feel free to approach God with anything?
How does Jesus’ experience in the Garden of Gethsemane and at the cross help us trust God when our prayers seem unanswered?
If prayer is not primarily about getting things from God, but instead it’s about getting God, how might this shape your practice of prayer?
What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?