Lessons from Three Prayers

Text: Luke 11:1

Disciples to Jesus: “Teach us to pray.” Here we’ll notice three prayers that each emphasize a different element of our prayers. This is not a comprehensive list of how to pray or what to pray for, but highlights some examples for our learning.

The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:7-13) — Pray for Needs

  • Pray for food (v. 11) — looking to God, but we must still do our part (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
  • Pray for forgiveness (v. 12) — God is willing to forgive, but we must do our part (Acts 8:20-22; 1 John 1:9)
  • Pray for deliverance from temptation (v. 13) — Again, we must do our part in taking the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The Garden Prayer (Matthew 26:39,42,44) — Pray for God’s Will

  • Jesus made a request, yet submitted to the Father’s will — shows an example of submission & faithful obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9)
  • We are told to make requests (Philippians 4:6), but we must pray “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10)
  • The requests that are granted are the ones that are according to His will (1 John 5:14-15)

The Disciples’ Prayer (Acts 4:23-31) — Pray to Praise God

  • Call attention to His mighty works (v. 24)
  • Exalt His word (v. 25-26)
  • Recognize the opposition & God’s superiority (v. 27-28)
  • God is certainly worthy of our praise — we ought to praise Him in our prayers (Matthew 6:9)