One of the greatest privileges we have as a child of God Is the fact that we can come to God in prayer anytime, anywhere, with anything. In Christ and by the Spirit we have total, unrestricted access to the Father. But, so many of us don’t know where to start. Fortunately, we’re not the first humans to be unsure when it comes to prayer. In this passage, Jesus’ disciples come to Him with a simple and yet bold request: “Lord, teach us to pray.”
What We Pray
In prayer, we acknowledge our deep dependency on God. Jesus is teaching us to offer prayers that reflect our utter helplessness and total reliance upon God. We Pray as a child looking to his Father, Longing for His glory to heal the world And for His rule to set all to rights. We pray Looking to Him as our Portion and Provider, The Forgiver of our sin-riddled souls and Our Protector and Keeper in the face of whatever trials might come our way.
How We Pray
In prayer, we acknowledge our daring desperation. You only call a friend at 2am when you’re desperate And you’ll only pray when you realize your life desperately depends on God. Jesus is teaching us to pray With Daring Desperation, Knowing that without Him, we utterly fall apart.
Why We Pray
In prayer, we acknowledge our Father’s devoted delight. The Father loves to give the Holy Spirit those who ask him! He’s not stingy, He’s lavish. He’s not reluctant, He’s eager. He’s not bothered, He’s delighted. He’s not disengaged, He’s devoted. Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” The Father loves to give the Holy Spirit those who ask him!
Takeaway: Ask, seek, and knock.
To pray is the great privilege of those who are children of God by grace through faith in Christ. We have an audience with the Father! We enjoy communion with the Son! We experience fellowship with the Spirit! And so, in deep dependency upon our God, with daring desperation because our life depends on it, and in light of our Father’s devoted delight “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
