Beloved Ones, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Luke 11: 1-4. In fact, we find Jesus in prayer. When he had ceased, one of his disciples said to him: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples. He said to them: When you pray, say: Father! Hallowed be thy name; your kingdom come. Give us our daily bread every day; forgive us our sins, for we also forgive anyone who offends us; and do not lead us into temptation. ”
The prayer topics Jesus gave to his disciples were from their time, while also presenting the main principles of what we have to ask for today. Prayer has as its object, first of all, the glory of God, which must be our primary concern. The Lord teaches us this when He says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be given unto you further” (Matthew 6:33).
Here the first request is: “Hallowed be your name”. Those who claim the name of God must stand apart from evil, not associate this name with filth in any form whatsoever.
“Thy kingdom come”: desire of those who awaited the fulfillment of the prophecies, for all had to do with the reign of God. This event seemed imminent in the days of the disciples, as they themselves preached that the kingdom of God had drawn near. Believers in today’s economy have before their eyes the coming of the Lord to take away the saints before His reign is established. As we are in the day of grace, our prayers must be related to this character of God, while desiring his reign, so that the rights of God are recognized on earth. But we know that this reign will only be established through the exercise of terrible apocalyptic judgments; this is why, in asking for the establishment of the kingdom, we are asking for the execution of the judgments on the world, something that we have to leave to God, to occupy ourselves in making known grace to all.
The first two requests of this prayer are therefore related to the interests of God: first, the separation of evil and second, the establishment of his rights on earth.
Finally comes what has to do with our material needs: “Give us every day the bread we need”. Note that he says: “every day”; in Matthew we read: “today”. It is the expression of the constant dependence which turns to God daily: for one does not ask for large provisions for a long time, but for the necessary bread each day. What rest and joy it gives to be able to speak in this way to one who knows that we need these things, for his love is concerned with our material interests as well as our spiritual interests. Knowing this, we may well seek our Father’s interests first.
“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive anyone who offends us”. This is about the government of God in life, not the forgiveness of sins for eternity. It is asking God not to make us bear the consequences of our sins, like us, we must forgive those who wrong us and remit their debts to our debtors. But this request supposes righteousness in the one who makes it; for, to count on an answer, one must have a good conscience; and therefore only the one who remits to those who owe him can ask God to remit his sins, by virtue of this principle: “With the measure which you measure, it will be measured back to you”.
“And do not lead us into temptation”: that is, do not allow us to be placed in circumstances where we can succumb to temptation, which happened to Peter when he denied the Lord. This is why God can allow us to fall, to teach us, by this means, what we should have learned by his Word, if we had listened to it.
Apart from these prayer topics related to the position in which the disciples were, the Lord Jesus shows them that prayer must express felt needs, presented with faith and perseverance, as they arise. He gives the example of someone who, around midnight, receives a visit from a friend and, lacking food, goes to one of his friends despite the late hour to ask him for three loaves of bread. This friend, already in bed, does not seem disposed to give him what he asks for: “Do not bother me, the door is already closed, my children and I are in bed, I cannot get up to give you breads. ” Jesus adds: “I tell you, even if he did not get up to give them to him because he is his friend, he would get up because of his importunity and give him everything he needs.”
This example teaches us that if a man allows himself to be moved by the insistence of a friend who presents his needs to him, how much more will God the Father answer the prayer of faith! For if a man gives in to the opportunity of others, God, who is never bothered by prayer, will always give what he knows to be good to those who turn to him with confidence.
Ultimately, Jesus adds: “And I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ” Indeed, the Eternal God knows that we are without capacity and without resources as for ourselves, and he is pleased to satisfy our various needs, as long as what we ask of him meets his will. We can always count on the love of God to give us what we need, and even if he does not answer us according to our desires, he will answer us according to his love; but he will always do so in a way that does not harm our spiritual interests which are eternal.
For a father will not give his son a stone if he asks for bread, nor a serpent if he asks for a fish, nor a scorpion if he asks for an egg. So we can be sure that it is what God gives us that is good. Also, Jesus said: “If therefore, wicked as you are, you know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. Since a sinful man acts toward his son according to his fatherly feelings, how much more will the Heavenly Father act according to his love.
In this gospel, there is talk of the Holy Spirit, for he was to come as a person and as a power, so that the disciples could perform their service; indeed, the Holy Spirit, as a person, was not yet on earth. We know he’s been here since the day of Pentecost; that’s why we don’t have to ask anymore. We see that in all respects the teaching of the Lord Jesus concerning prayer related to the situation of the disciples, while containing instructions for all times. We also see the two great resources at the disposal of the Holy Spirit to care for the redeemed while awaiting the Lord’s return, namely: the Word and prayer. For if the believer does not use these two means, he will lose his Christian character; and he will weaken spiritually and soon cease to wait for the Lord’s return. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to practice the Word and prayer as the Lord Jesus taught.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and put together for your better understanding.
- The name of God should be respected:
Lev 22.2 “Tell Aaron and his sons to treat with respect the sacred offerings the Israelites consecrate to me, so that they will not profane my holy name. I am the LORD; Dt 28.58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name — the LORD your God —; Isa 29.23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Isa 57.15 For this is what the high and lofty One says — he who lives for ever, whose name is holy: “I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite; Ez 36.23I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes; Dn 2.21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning; Mt 6.10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
- Submission to God’s will:
Mt 6.10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Mt 26.39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Luk 1.38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. Rm 6.13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. Ja 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- Human weakness leads man to depend on God:
2 Ch 20.12 our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” Ps 127.1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. Jr 10.23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Jn 3.27 this John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. Jn 15.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 2 Co 3.5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
- Life delivered to the submission of the divine will:
- it’s the fruit of the inner law: Ps 40.9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O LORD.
- prayer is essential for submission to the divine will: Ps 143.10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
- establishes a relationship of divine nature: Mt 12.50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
- Christ is the perfect example of submission to the divine will: Mt 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” (Jn 5.30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.)
- leads to spiritual knowledge: Jn 7:17 If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.(Ac 21.14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”); Rm 12.2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- wholeheartedly demanded: Ep 6.6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.(He 13.21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.)
- this is the rule of daily life: Ja 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”(1 Jn 2.17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives for ever.)
- Divine constraints are exercised on the righteous:
1 S 25.39 When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the LORD, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” Then David sent word to Abigail, asking her to become his wife.; 1 Ch 4.10 Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. Ps 19.14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Ps 141.3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Luk 11.4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. [Greek: everyone who is indebted to us] And lead us not into temptation.’“ [Some manuscripts: temptation but deliver us from the evil one]; Jn 17.15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
From all of the above we note this instruction from the Lord Jesus: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ” Indeed, the Eternal God knows that we are without capacity and without resources as for ourselves, and he is pleased to satisfy our various needs, as long as what we ask of him meets his will. We can always count on the love of God to give us what we need, and even if he does not answer us according to our desires, he will answer us according to his love; but he will always do so in a way that does not harm our spiritual interests which are eternal. This is why a father will not give his son a stone if he asks for bread, nor a snake if he asks for a fish, nor a scorpion if he asks for an egg. So we can be sure that it is what God gives us that is good. Since a sinful man acts toward his son according to his fatherly feelings, how much more will the Heavenly Father act according to his love. Our prayers support you all in your efforts to ask according to God’s will.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all worship, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be glad to respond to your queries and comments if necessary, before sharing with you next week “ on perseverance in prayer.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you profusely.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.