If you could ask the Lord Jesus Christ to teach you to do one thing, what would it be? Would you ask him to teach you how to make the wisest decisions in those areas of life where the Bible doesn’t tell you exactly what to do? Would you ask him to teach you how to find the right spouse? Would you ask him to teach you how to parent your most strong-willed child? Would you ask him to teach you a particular skill or how to navigate a particular challenge at work or in your family? If you could ask the Lord Jesus Christ to teach you to do one thing, what would it be?

Our passage from Luke contains the only record of the Lord Jesus’ disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to do something. We have no record of the disciples asking the Lord Jesus to teach them to preach, teach them to cleanse skin diseases, teach them to cast out unclean spirits, teach them to raise the dead, teach them to refute false teachers, or teach them to calm storms with a word. They saw the Lord Jesus do all of these things, yet there is only one thing they saw that filled them with such longing, such desire to experience what he was experiencing, that they said, “Lord, teach us to do that!” Only one. Luke 11:1 — Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” Of all the things the disciples saw the Lord Jesus do, the one thing they asked Jesus to teach them was to pray.

What is prayer? Most simply, prayer is talking to God. The New City Catechism puts it beautifully: “Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.” Every true disciple of Jesus wants to learn to enjoy that. Every true disciple of the Lord Jesus wants to enjoy the awe and intimacy with the Father that the Lord Jesus enjoyed. I don’t have to twist your arm or talk you into wanting to pray if you’re a Christian. No matter how much you struggle to pray or how stuck you are in prayerlessness right now, if you’ve been born again, then the longing of your heart is, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Prayer is not unique to Christianity. These days there are scores of false religions that will teach you how to pray. Even misguided Christian authors and teachers are popularizing contemplative prayer practices that the Lord Jesus and his apostles never taught or participated in. It’s a confusing prayer landscape out there. Therefore, we too are asking, “Lord, teach us to pray in a uniquely Christian way.” And that brings us to the big idea of our passage this morning:

Learn to pray from the Lord Jesus.

In our passage, the Lord Jesus teaches us three things about prayer:

• How to pray (vv. 1–2a)

• What to pray (vv. 2b–4)

• Why to pray (vv. 5–13)

HOW TO PRAY

The most important word in our entire passage—the most important word to learn when learning how to pray—is the very first word the Lord Jesus teaches us to pray: Father.

Luke 11:1–2a — Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father…’”

The most important word when learning how to pray is Father. How do we pray in a distinctly Christian way? We address the one true God as Father.

The reason I say that addressing God as Father is the most important lesson in learning how to pray Christianly is because adoption is the heart of the gospel. No one is born a child of God. We are God’s enemies by nature and by choice.

Ephesians 2:1–3 says, “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”

Since we are by nature God’s enemies, the heart of the gospel is that God our Judge has become God our Father by grace through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:4b–5 — “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

The heart of the gospel isn’t simply that God forgives our sins, but that God forgives our sins so that he can adopt us as his sons and daughters. As J. I. Packer writes in Knowing God:

“In adoption, God takes us into his family and fellowship—he establishes us as his children and heirs. Closeness, affection, and generosity are at the heart of the relationship. To be right with God the Judge [justification] is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father [adoption] is greater.”

The heart of the gospel is adoption through Jesus’ substitution. The Son of God lived, died, and rose in our place so that through him we are now sons and daughters of God.

How do we pray? In light of the Christian doctrine of adoption, we say, “Father.” We pray to the Father, through the Son, by the help of the Spirit.

But why does Jesus begin here? Because nothing will shape the way you pray more than what you believe about God.

The Heidelberg Catechism, Question 120:

1. Why did Christ command us to call God “our Father”?
2. At the very beginning of our prayer Christ wants to kindle in us what is basic to our prayer—the childlike awe and trust that God, through Christ, has become our Father. Our earthly fathers do not refuse us the things of this life; God our Father will even less refuse to give us what we ask in faith.

How do we pray? To our Father—as beloved, adopted children.

Children have so much to teach us about how to pray. A child who is raised well by a father who loves them is comfortable in their father’s presence; they aren’t performing. A well-raised child isn’t rude or demanding; they know their father is in charge and knows best. A well-raised child isn’t sheepish about telling their father what they really want or what is really going on. No, a well-raised child loves to be with their father, respects their father, and is bold in asking for what they need without hesitation because they know their father is compassionate, capable, and will do what is best.

Honest question: Do you call God Father? Have you received adoption by grace through faith in Christ? Do you see God as the one who adopted you from hell into his family, loves you, and wants you to pour out your heart to him in childlike trust and awe every day?

What you believe about God will determine your prayer life.

How do we pray? Jesus says, “Say, ‘Father.'”

WHAT TO PRAY

Have you ever sat or knelt down to pray—or opened your prayer journal—and not known what to pray? Do you ever get stuck praying the same old things about the same old things? Do you want to pour out your heart to your Father but don’t know what to say?

What we commonly call The Lord’s Prayer, recorded here in verses 2–4, was given to us by the Lord Jesus to teach us what to pray. Though it is not wrong to recite the words of the Lord’s Prayer verbatim, Jesus gave this prayer primarily as a guide for what to pray. As one scholar correctly writes:

“It is to be used as an outline that those who pray it may fill out with their own words.”

Illustration: sermon.

What do we pray when we pray alone or with others? What do we pray for ourselves, our friends, our family, our church, our nation, and our world?

What do we pray?

Father, hallowed be your name

In the Bible, God and his name are closely associated. The word hallowed means “honored,” “glorified,” or “treated as holy.” So when Jesus teaches us to pray, “Hallowed be your name,” he is teaching us to pray that the Father will enable us and others to glorify him in all things.

The Heidelberg Catechism explains:

“‘Hallowed be your name’ means: Help us to really know you, to bless, worship, and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. And it means, help us to direct all our living—what we think, say, and do—so that your name will never be blasphemed because of us but always honored and praised.”

What do we pray?

Begin with praise and thanksgiving.

Praise him for adopting you out of hell and into his family by grace. Praise him for the privilege of knowing him as your Father through Christ. Praise him for his love and that nothing can separate you from his love in Christ. Thank him for every one of his precious works and gifts from the last day. Thank him for every evidence of grace you’ve seen in your life, in the lives of others, and in the world since you prayed the day before. He is worthy of it, and it will make you happy.

Then ask your Father to enable you and others to glorify him in all things. Start in concentric circles, working your way outward—from yourself, to your spouse and children if you have them, to fellow church members, dear friends, and so forth. Think carefully about what you and others are going through, and ask the Father to provide enabling grace in each situation so that you and they can honor God in thought, word, and deed.

Your kingdom come

When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are asking the Father to destroy the devil’s work and establish his kingdom now and forever.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says:

“In the second petition (which is, Thy kingdom come), we pray, that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.”

After praying for the Father’s name to be hallowed, pray for his kingdom to come. Pray for the kingdom of Satan and sin to be destroyed in ways specific to his work in your life, our church, and the world. Pray against his attacks, his lies, his blasphemies about God, his accusations concerning your sins, against false religions, and so forth.

One of my dearest friends is under a horrible attack from Satan. This line from the Lord’s Prayer reminds me to pray for Satan’s work in that person’s life to be destroyed.

Then go on the offensive. Pray that the gospel will be proclaimed throughout the earth, especially among the unreached. Pray that Christ will build his church everywhere. Pray for our church and other true churches by name. Pray that false churches will repent or close. Pray that our church and other churches will be served by a growing number of godly elders and deacons. Pray by name for specific people to be converted to faith in Christ. Pray that Christ will rule more and more in the hearts of those who have already been converted in our church.

Pray that governing officials will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, promote justice as God defines it in the Bible throughout our country, and that America will be maximally influenced by biblical Christianity because that is what is best for the common good.

Pray for the return of Jesus Christ to come quickly, and set your hope on that day.

Give us each day our daily bread

In this line, Jesus is teaching us to ask our Father to take care of our physical needs and the physical needs of others so that we can enjoy him and depend on him.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism says:

“In the third petition (Give us this day our daily bread), we pray that, of God’s free gift, we may receive a sufficient portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them.”

Your Father loves you. He created this world for you to enjoy his creation in every lawful way, and he loves to give good gifts to those who ask him so that they can enjoy them to his glory. So pray that the Father will supply you and others with a sufficient portion of the good things of this world and the grace to enjoy them, because every good gift comes from him, and only he can give you the grace to enjoy them.

This is where people often get sheepish. Don’t be embarrassed—ask your Father.

Do you want a child? Do you want to buy a home? Like me, do you really want to own a pickup truck one day? Don’t just consult a physician, a real estate agent, or your financial advisor. Your Father loves you. He loves to give good gifts to his children, so ask him. And when you ask him, ask him to show you whether it is really the right thing for you. Write specific requests on a prayer card and watch the Father at work.

This line should also remind us to pray for the poor who do not have their daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us

Christian prayer includes ongoing confession of the sins we commit against God. We are safe to confess our sins because, if we are in Christ, they are already covered by his blood.

The Heidelberg Catechism explains:

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors means: Because of Christ’s blood, do not hold against us, poor sinners that we are, any of the sins we do or the evil that constantly clings to us. Forgive us just as we are fully determined, as evidence of your grace in us, to forgive our neighbors.”

There is nothing so freeing as regularly confessing your sins to your Father, resting in his promise of forgiveness, and endeavoring in his strength to put your sins to death.

After praying through the first three petitions, take a moment to ask your Father to bring to mind any ways your thoughts, words, or deeds have failed to hallow his name over the last day. Additionally, ask the Father whether there are any persistent patterns of thought, speech, or behavior in your life that do not hallow his name.

When the Father reveals something to you—whether it is a sin from the last day or a long-standing pattern—confess it to him. Confession is agreeing with God about your sin, receiving his gracious pardon in Christ, and asking for his help to put that sin to death.

Asking the Father to forgive our sins goes hand in hand with forgiving others. We cannot revel in God’s free forgiveness while withholding forgiveness from those who sin against us. So, when you confess your sins to your Father, ask him to give you the grace to forgive those who have sinned against you.

As with each of the things Jesus teaches us to pray, consistent Bible reading is a tremendous help. Through reading, studying, and hearing God’s Word preached, we learn what God calls sin.

And lead us not into temptation

The world, our flesh, and the devil collaborate to make sin look beautiful and holiness seem strange. Additionally, in various places the Bible indicates that God, in his loving wisdom, tests our hearts. Therefore, Jesus teaches us to pray, as the Westminster Shorter Catechism says,

“That God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.”

Friends, sin is repugnant. Holiness is where true happiness is found. And we and those we love are no match for the world, our flesh, and the devil.

So, at the end of your prayer, lay your temptations before the Lord. Lay before him the temptations your spouse faces, your children face, your roommates face, your fellow church members face, your pastors face, and so forth. Name the temptations specifically, and ask the Father to keep us from being tempted and to uphold us when we are tempted.

You never have to pray the same old things about the same old things again.

To get started, choose a time and place each day to pour out your heart to your Father. Read the Bible for fifteen minutes, and then use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide to pray for fifteen minutes.

You’ll never run out of things to say.

Let’s turn, finally, to…

WHY TO PRAY

At this point, you know how to pray and what to pray, but you may still be wondering: Does the Father really want me to pour out my heart to him in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving? Does he really want me to ask for so much?

Why should we ask?

Jesus’ teaching at the conclusion of our passage provides the answer. We should pray because our Father in heaven loves to give good gifts to his children. He is more eager to give than we are to ask.

Luke 11:5–8 — And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence [shameless audacity] he will rise and give him whatever he needs.”

At this point you may be wondering, What is the point of this little parable?

Our Lord is teaching us why we should pray.

Luke 11:9–10 — And I tell 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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Then Jesus tells another little parable.

Luke 11:11–12 — What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?

Again, what is the point?

Jesus is teaching us why we should pray.

Luke 11:13 — 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!

Our Lord is arguing from the lesser to the greater, and the point is simple: We should pray because our Father loves to give good gifts to those who ask him, especially the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is almost daring us to ask boldly because our Father is outrageously generous. If even sinful fathers give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to his children? We should ask and seek and knock because our Father is so eager to give. He will give you what you ask for or what you would have asked for if you knew everything he knows.

So, ask boldly and surrender completely.

And whatever you ask, be sure to ask for the Holy Spirit.

When you trusted in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, you were indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Father gave you the Spirit. However, the Father wants us to ask that the Holy Spirit would increasingly control us so that we hallow his name more and more. It is a prayer he loves to answer.

There is no life like the praying life. So pour out your heart to your Father in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving because your Father loves to give good gifts to his children