LUKE 11:1-13 A PATTERN FOR PRAYER Reverential, reasonable and responsible communication with God was the way the Lord Jesus Christ taught prayer to His disciples. Prayer to the Almighty Lord God of the universe is not some light-hearted chat. It is an honorable, dignified way we connect with Him from our side of the relationship. We come to ask for His will to be done here on earth and to identify our role in that revealed will. The Lord did not identify Himself with their need as a participant in prayer. He is God who answers prayer. He had already told the disciples how to pray. Now they were concerned with the holy, high ground of personal communion with God that makes our fellowship with Him of highest value. They realized, either by watching the Lord when He prayed or by overhearing what He said to the Father, His praying was very different from the public prayers of the Pharisees - or maybe even their own.
The attitude and nature of prayer is addressed here by the Lord Jesus. It is of interest to note the first part of prayer after a reverential fear of the Lord in approaching God, is prayer on behalf of God Himself. "Thy kingdom come." This is what is of great importance to God. God and His kingdom come first before all other considerations. The failures of lost men and women is not a major issue. The big concern in regard to our life on earth isn't really what we have lost, but who are lost. People are always more important than things. We need to remember this when we pray lest we emphasize what God does not. The order of prayer is God first, then prayer on behalf of people. As far as bread is concerned, the temporal things relating to survival, concern for each day at a time is enough. Eternal things have far greater value than temporal. At best, temporal things meet temporal needs. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." The lesson to learn here in addressing God, is not to be too concerned with what happens farther down the road of life. Live today in the consciousness of doing the will of God, and trust Him with full assurance of faith for what will come later.
In the original form of prayer, the petitioner has already forgiven the debts of those who owe him. Kingdom living presupposes we forgive without having to be told to do so. Unconditional forgiveness is expected by believers because of the love of God that dwells in us. There will often be those who oppose the Christian believer. In prayer to God we are to be able to honestly say we have forgiven those who sin against us. Even that charge is not qualified in any way.
Forgiveness seems to be the essential element in our relationship with God in prayer. There are no qualifications required of unbelievers who come in faith to Him for salvation. For believers, confession of sin is the expected act of one who has sinned. God promised forgiveness without our persistence in seeking forgiveness. He has promised to do that. We do not have to ask God to keep His promises. "He is faithful that promised."
Bold persistence though, does enable us to overcome our lack of sensitivity to God's willingness to answer prayer. In the parable the Lord told, He was not teaching God is like a sleepy man in bed who has to be begged under pressure to answer a need. He is teaching that unlike a mere, mortal, sleepy man who will rise out of bed and give his friend what he asks for, God is wide awake and ready to answer immediately. He is not waiting until our continual banging on His door irritates Him enough to answer. He does answer. The difference is that sometimes God's answer is "No" because what we ask for may not be good for us to have.
Those people before the Holy Spirit indwelt the Church at the day of Pentecost, could ask for the Holy Spirit to give power to their work and calling. David was conscious of this when he prayed, "Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me." Persistence in the practice of prayer changes our minds and hearts toward God. We may not realize the urgency of our need the first time we pray about a matter. The more we pray about an issue, a work we are involved in or a work ahead we are anticipating, the more intense it becomes to us and the more we realize our need of God. Divine intervention keeps us from unbiblical practices, making foolish mistakes and taking for ourselves the credit for a work God does.
The higher ground of effective prayer is not how to do it. It is who we are in contact with and how we are able to get into the current of His thoughts and will. Once we find the fresh breezes of Beulah-land blowing across our hearts and minds, then we can start thinking like God, seeing things as He sees them and enjoying what He enjoys.
The truly bended knee in prayer reflects a bended heart. Approach to God in reverent fear is audible at the start. The tone of voice, the way words are said make an attitude very clear - Prayer made from the humbled heart; the ear of God does hear.
This is no light-hearted chat with one we speak to as a contemporary.
Nor is it just a habit we form with weightless words that carry No real meaning nor impact with God, often made to impress men. High-ground praying is holy communion with the Lord of earth and heaven.
Respect and reverence have a meaning often missed by those who listen. Those who have learned to pray similarly may have tears on a face that glistens. When the heart of one who prays in faith is lifted to the throne of God - Results will come from Him who is Almighty as He stoops to bless the world.
We don't need to shout or bang at His door to get God's attention. He who never slumbers nor sleeps waits for our earnest supplication. Our desires may not always be right, but His answers are always best. When we ask in the Lord Jesus' name. we pray and then we rest.
The things we pray about may seem trivial, but He hears each word that's said. And He knows even the thoughts and attitudes that fill our hearts with dread. The things we could say to no other, we can confidently bring to Him. Then we leave it there and rest in faith awaiting the outcome in His time.
Often my prayers are short, some things are not very complicated. It may be one urgent matter, or some upset person who need to be placated. I think it may be possible to be on much higher ground when we pray. In these situations, with God, I find silences are important to what I say.
"My heavenly Father, here I am asking again, but before I do please accept my heartfelt, grateful thanks for giving Thy son for me, for loving me, for allowing me this personal fellowship with thee. Father, we are planning to have some of Thy people with us today. Give Thy servant suitable words of friendship and fellowship. Give me some meaningful thoughts to pass on to them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."