Teach us to pray as John, son of Zechariah taught his disciples. Luke 11:1ff
Introduction: The subject of prayer has been discussed more than real praying. John was a man of prayer who lived in a secluded place among the Essenes for some years before he began to preach about the Kingdom of God. Essenes lived ascetic life, wanting to be pure or holy, setting themselves apart from the general community because of devotion they had for God. John left them and moved to general human society to preach the arrival of God’s Kingdom with power that Jesus represents.
Read Luke11:1.
- Why did Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray? Had they not been praying before?
- The disciples were Jewish adult people. What went wrong that made them to need to start learning how to pray; were they not praying before?
They were Jewish people and must have learnt how to pray or seen people praying in their synagogues and Temple. However, they knew something was missing in their lives. The intimacy with God, to feel His presence during prayer was probably not there. Jesus then taught them, rather than rebuking or intimidating them that they are adults who knew not how to pray. He taught them to see God as a Father, and their Father, and to relate with God in that way when they pray. Read Luke 11:2.
- Since God is everywhere, why did Jesus ask the disciples to pray to God as our Father who is in heaven?
- What does it mean for God’s Kingdom to come and why did Jesus ask the disciples to ask for God’s Kingdom to come?
- What is God’s will, and why should we pray that God’s will be done on earth, and in our lives?
Activities:
Go into sub-group meeting of 4 or 6, depending on how large your meeting is, then Read Luke 11:3-4 and discuss the reasons for praying for daily bread/food and not luxuries, praying for forgiveness and to forgive others, and prayer not to fall into temptation.
The LORD Jesus taught his disciples in Luke 18: 1-8 to be persistent in prayer and not to lose faith. He taught them the same prayer of Luke 11 in Matthew 6:5-15. He woke up early in the morning to pray in Mark 1:35-39. Let us use ABC method of prayer to end this session.
A= adoration or thanksgiving. Thank God for His love and protection and for granting you access to know and worship Him.
B= benediction or prayer for grace
C= confession of our wrongdoings to God. To be truly sorry and ask for grace not to repeat such things you have repented of again.
D= dedication. Bringing yourself to God to be under His leadership, as you want to follow and obey Him, and remain under His protection. To be your Saviour, and your LORD. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen!