The PRINCIPLES of Prayer (Luke 11:2-4).
Luke 11:2-4 resembles the model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. It is not the same prayer for Luke 11 happens after the Sermon on the Mount. All prayers should include important aspects of life, work, and church. Jesus gives the disciples a cheat sheet, a template, or a module for them to follow. These words were never meant to be uttered verbatim, lest one take the risk of praying in vain (Matthew 6:5-8). What tenants of prayer does Jesus give the disciples?
Recognize the direction. Prayer is said to an actual Being. He actually hears cries (Genesis 21:17; Exodus 3:7; Psalm 65:2). This Being is God, who is called “Father.” Prayer is a conversation only secluded to families (1 Peter 3:12). God is our Father (Matthew 7:9-11; Galatians 4:4-6; 1 John 3:1) who bends His ear to hear His children’s petitions. This relationship is personal and familial. The direction of prayer is not toward Mary, departed saints, or ancestors. Only God is to be the direction of a man’s prayers, for He is the only one to give us good things (James 1:17). He abounds in heaven (2 Chronicles 20:6; Psalm 11:4). Wonderfully, prayer has travelled longer distances than the world’s farthest satellite! It reaches realms, not just miles! While it takes a phone to reach a friend thousands of miles away, all it takes is a word to call upon the ear of God.
Revere God. While God is our Father, He is not our “daddy,” “dad,” or “papa.” Such titles flirt with blasphemy and irreverence. Prayer must include humility and sanctity. The word hallowed means to make holy.[1] While prayer is a conversation and formality is not required, reverence most assuredly is demanded. Much carefulness would be taken when approaching the office of the President, Governor, or Senator. Prayer should be preceded by more caution for the Creator of the Universe is about to be besought. God is reverend (Psalm 111:9). He is perfectly holy (1 John 1:5) and expects (Leviticus 10:3) and demands perfect respect. Isaiah-like attitudes are good when approaching God’s presence (Isaiah 6:5). The Psalmist said, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him” (Psalm 89:7).
Are archaic phrases more reverent? Certainly, one should obey His conscience if it requires him to use such phrases like “thee,” “thou,” and “thine,” in prayer. But they in themselves are not holier for they are mere translations of Greek pronouns. Surely it is demanded that we use the most reverential terms we can when talking to God; however, one can be just at respectful saying “you” and “your.” Remember this: while we can approach God’s throne confidently (Hebrews 4:16) we must never do so casually.[2]
Pray for the Kingdom. If Jesus was willing to die for the Kingdom (Acts 20:28; Revelation 1:5-6), then we should bring it up constantly in our prayers. Jesus lived before the Kingdom’s arrival. In fact, He was never on earth when it was established (Acts 1-2). Because its coming was still in the future, Jesus could pray “thy kingdom come.” The Kingdom was a special part of Jesus’ teaching (Matthew 4:17). He discussed its morality (Matthew 5:20), its importance (Matthew 6:33), its entrance (John 3:3, 5), its declaration (Mark 9:1), and its nearness (Matthew 10:7). The Kingdom’s arrival was so important to Jesus that He prayed for it! We do not pray for the Kingdom’s arrival, but for the Kingdom’s prosperity and growth, since it is already here (Colossians 1:13). Pray for its members, talk to God about how to spread its borders, and ask God how you can serve Him in it. As the CEO needs to be approached about the businesses’ success, so does God need to be approached about the successes and problems in the church.
Yearn for the will of God. Prayer is not an outlet to request personal lusts. God is not a genie in a bottle[3]; we do not rub the lamp to get our three wishes for the week. Prayer is to pour our hearts before the throne of God, not our sinful desires (James 4:3). Jesus desired the will of God in His example of prayer. He searched for God’s will, not His own, in prayer (Matthew 26:42) and in life (John 5:30; Hebrews 5:8; 10:7). The will of God is the only filter that answered prayers pass through (1 John 5:14-15). Men who pray aside from His will cannot be positively answered. While it may seem like a burden, praying for the will of God is the best for man since His ways work out better for us than our own (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9). It is also good to pray that we might conform to His will (Psalm 40:18; 143:10). Praying for His will, will help us forget our own. Praying for our will to conform to His, will help us put away fleshly lusts (1 Peter 4:2). Perhaps you will use these phrases from Scripture in your prayers:
“It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good” (1 Samuel 3:18).
“By the will of God” (Romans 1:10; 15:32).
“if the Lord permit” (1 Corinthians 16:7).
“if God permit” (Hebrews 6:3).
“If the Lord will” (James 4:15).
E. Stanley Jones said, “Prayer is surrender to the will of God and cooperation with that will. If I throw out a boat hook from a boat and catch hold of the shore and pull, do I pull the shore to me, or do I pull myself to the shore? Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God.”
Don’t forget daily necessities. God doesn’t listen to lusts, but He does hear requests (Romans 1:10; Philippians 4:6). Jesus’ next tenant of prayer is supplications. Daily bread is a reference to sustenance. God doesn’t want Christians only thanking Him; He wants them to come to Him like a child to a Father asking for gifts. If we do not ask for them, we should not expect to receive them (James 4:2). One man was taken to heaven and asked to see a big building while there. The angel told him he would be disappointed but as he got in there were gifts that were wrapped and ready to be distributed. The man asked what they were to which the angel responded, “We wrapped these things, but people never called for them.”[4] The Father knows that we have daily needs, why not come to the Father for them?
Ask God for forgiveness. Jesus had no need to pray this pray, but His words do apply everyone because every Christian sins (1 John 1:8; 2:1). Christians must agree with God about their sins (1 John 1:9) having a heart filled with godly sorrow (Acts 8:22; 2 Corinthians 7:10). A heart that merely prays for forgiveness as a compulsion or without a desire to change will not be heard. It is wise to use language like the Psalmist (Psalm 25:11, 18; 32:5-6; 51:1-12). Confess specific sins after they are committed, leaving nothing out. Tell God what you did, that you are sorry, and what you plan to do to fix it. Do not use phrases like “if I’ve sinned,” “I could be better,” or “this might have happened.” Make a practice of acknowledging possible ignorant sins, declaring as David “cleanse thou me from secret faults” (Psalm 19:12). It is best to always include asking for forgiveness in prayer; however, do not expect to be heard if you do not “forgive every one that is indebted to us.” God judges prayers based on how we have treated those who have asked for forgiveness from us (Matthew 6:14-15).
Petition the counsel of God for aid during temptation. Jesus does not suggest that God leads men into temptation (James 1:13), but it is a prayer for guidance when we are being tempted. This prayer must have power during temptation for Jesus would not have suggested the apostles pray for naught.[5] How might this prayer help us?
It will make us aware of Satan’s tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; 1 John 2:15-17).
It will remind us to rely upon God when fighting the devil (James 4:7).
God does provide ways of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), only if men pray and decide to overcome sin. God wants to deliver, can deliver (cf. Psalm 121:7) and will deliver, if we will just but ask for His hand and walk away from sin.
Our prayers will become more helpful and personal when we add substance to them. There is nothing better than Jesus’ divine example.
Endnotes
[1]Strongs Concordance.
[2]https://www.dulleschurchofchrist.org/articles/2023/04/29/demonstrating-reverence#:~:text=We%20demonstrate%20reverence%20in%20how%20we%20speak%20to,he%20is%20also%20above%20and%20separate%20from%20us.
[3]Rachel Olson.
[4]Robert J. Morgan, Preacher’s Sourcebook of Creative Sermon Illustrations, Thomas Nelson, 2005, 627.
[5]Allen Webster.
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