Luke 11:1-14
The disciples wanted to honor God and to pray to Him in a right way, and asked the Lord Jesus to tell them how. He told them these words:
“Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
Perhaps you have said these words many times without thinking of the meaning: that cannot honor God Jesus’ words taught them first that God is holy, His name is holy, and must not be said carelessly, but always with the most possible respect. But they were to pray to Him simply, asking Him as a loving Father, Who cared for them.
The disciples had been taught of the time of God’s rule or Kingdom, and then prayed for that time to come, when Christ will be honored and men will be obedient. But not long after these words were said, Jesus was refused as King, and died as men’s Saviour.
So now those who believe Him, pray most for others to believe in Him now, before that time when all that is wrong will be punished. The people then, like the disciples, will have great trials, and will pray earnestly, words like this prayer, as shown in the psalms and prophets.
But even now we are to trust God for our food and all we have, He can send storms, drouth, or blight, to spoil all. And we need also to forgive any who have done us wrong, for we have many wrongs to be forgiven by God.
Small boys and girls can thank God for His care, and learn to pray, but when older, to understand, it is not the repeating of words, or “saying prayers” that pleases God, but to tell Him what you feel in your heart.
Jesus said God will surely hear, and do for those who ask Him: He said, if a friend came in the night to ask for bread, because a traveler had come, even though a trouble, it would be given as needed. And God would not do less for those who ask Him in need.
Jesus reminded them that one of them would not give his child a stone if it asked for bread, so God would give good gifts. He told them of the Holy Spirit to be given those who believe God, and later He said the Spirit would teach them all things, and they should ask God the Father in Jesus’ Name (John 16:13,24).
So Jesus taught how simply but earstly those who believe His words, can pray, and that God will do for them. But they will not be praying just for what will please themselves, but for what will honor the Lord Jesus Who has done so much for them.
What are the promises of Luke 11:9,10?
ML 06/10/1945