Keep Praying – Luke 11:1-13

City Harbor Church – Hampden, Baltimore, MD

We can all follow the teaching and example of Jesus, in persistent prayer.

1. Jesus Prays Jesus gives us an example in prayer.

A. Jesus prayed in private. Matthew 14:23 Mark 1:35 Luke 5:16, 9:18, 28-29, 11:1, 22:31-32 John 17:1-26

B. Jesus prayed in public. Matthew 11:25-26, 19:13-15, 26:26, 36, 27:36 Mark 8:6 Luke 3:21, 10:21-22, 23:34, 46, 24:30 John 6:11, 11:41-42, 12:28

2. Jesus Teaches Prayer Jesus gives us teaching on how to pray.

Matthew 5:44 6:5-13 7:7-11 18:19-20 21:22 Mark 11:24-25 Luke 11:1-13 John 14:13-14, 15:7, 16, 16:23-24

A. Lord’s Prayer – Luke 11:2-4

B. Persist in Prayer – Luke 11:5-13

Jesus is teaching us about the character of who God is. Jesus is teaching us to pray based on the character of who God is. There is no greater expert on this subject, than Jesus.

“By instructing his disciples to address God as Father, Jesus places them by participation in prayer into the same relationship with God that he has, which is a privilege and a responsibility.” – Cyril of Alexandria 375-444 leading pastor of Alexandria and playing a major part in the first Council of Ephesus

“Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the disciples will observe Jesus’ relationship to God the Father and come to realize that through the Son of God they are Children of God and that all prayers to the Father are always through the Son.” – Origen 185-254 leading pastor in Alexandria known for his Scripture interpretation and focus on the spiritual meaning of the text.

“I tell you, though he will not get up and give you anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.” – Luke 11:8 ESV

“because of his impudence” ESV shamelessness, audacity, lack of concern for what is proper

“I tell you, if friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread, your boldness will make him get up and give you whatever you need.” – Luke 11:8 NCV

“But let me tell you, even if he won’t get up because he’s a friend, if you stand your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, he’ll finally get up and get you whatever you need.” – Luke 11:8 The Message

Persistence – continuing to do something even though it is difficult or other people want you to stop

Jesus’ Luke 11:8 Persistent Prayer – choosing to continue to bring our prayer requests to God, without giving up, shameless audacious prayer requests that are faith-filled based on the character of who God is

3. What do we learn?

A. Jesus gave us teaching and an example of prayer to follow.

B. We can pray with a faith-filled gracious humility and persistence.

C. We can pray based on the character of who God is, as revealed in Scripture.

D. We can pray using the words of Scripture as foundational truth.

4. What should we do?

A. Pray based on the teaching and example of Jesus.

(the Lord’s Prayer – Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done)

B. Pray using 2 Timothy 1:7.

God, thank you for giving us… God, please give us, and those we pray for, your Spirit will…

“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

C. Pray using Acts 26:18.

God, thank you for giving us… God, please give ___ (not-yet-Jesus follower)…

1. “Open their eyes,” – Acts 26:18 God gives spiritual perceptiveness – an ability to see Jesus Christ as Savior.

2. “Turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.” – Acts 26:18 God gives those receiving Jesus as Savior the ability to turn away from spiritual darkness to His light.

3. “They will receive forgiveness for their sins,” – Acts 26:18 God gives those receiving Jesus as Savior forgiveness for their sins with freedom from punishment and freedom from the compulsion to repeat those sins.

4. “They will be given a place among God’s people,” – Acts 26:18 God gives those receiving Jesus as Savior a place of loving relationships for all eternity.

D. Consider a study of the themes of the prayers Jesus prayed, from Scriptures listed today.