"Pray Like This"
Jamaal Williams
1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say,
Father, your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt to us. And do not bring us into temptation.”
5 He also said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I don’t have anything to offer him.’ 7 Then he will answer from inside and say, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I have gone to bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he won’t get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his friend’s shameless boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Luke 11:1-13
- Pray Boldly Because of Who God Is (Luke 11:1–4)
- Father’s Role: Intimacy and authority combined.
- Reverence: Begin prayers with God’s holiness and sovereignty.
- Dependence: “Daily bread” reflects our daily need for God in all aspects.
- Forgiveness and Guidance: Acknowledge grace and seek protection from temptation.
- Pray Boldly Because of How God Responds (Luke 11:5–10)
- Parable: A neighbor’s shameless boldness moves action; God is even more responsive and loving.
- God’s Character: He’s a "three-loaves" God who willingly provides.
- Personal Testimony: Example of waiting on God in prayer.
- Pray Boldly Because of What God Gives (Luke 11:11–13)
- Gift of the Holy Spirit: God gives Himself—His presence, comfort, and power.
- Transformation: The Spirit empowers, guides, and draws us closer to God.
- A Guided Prayer
- Step 1: Reverence for Who God Is
- Step 2: Dependence on God for Daily Needs
- Step 3: Confession and Forgiveness
- Step 4: Protection and Guidance
- Step 5: Boldly Asking for the Spirit
- Step 6: Trusting God to Respond