"Help Us to Pray"
Mike Tilley
Luke 11:1-4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”
- This passage comes right after the story about Mary (Luke 10:38-42) and the reminder to love God (Luke 10:27). What might be the relationship between loving God and prayer?
- “Lord, teach us to pray.” (Luke 11:1) In the sermon, Mike said, “I often need encouragement to nurture my prayer life.” Have you found this to be true in your life?
- We all face hindrances to prayer. What are some of yours?
- Do you see the Lord’s Prayer as a prayer to recite? Or a pattern for prayer? What are some of the ways you use the Lord’s Prayer?
- The “gateway” to the Lord’s Prayer is “Father.” How does your adoption through the gospel sweeten your approach to God when you pray? See Romans 8:15. Here are some hints for the facilitator:
- Hallowed be your name: Over time, the gospel gives us a passion for the name of God in our hearts.
- Your kingdom come: In the future, God will renew all things. In the present, we taste the reign of Christ through the gospel.
- Give us each day our daily bread: We rest in his gracious provision, especially the bread of life. We can be content, grateful, and more willing to help others.
- Forgive us our sins: We need a Savior every day. This realization fosters forgiveness and unity in gospel community.
- Lead us not into temptation: The one who gave his only Son will freely give us all things. Temptation, though enticing, is a mirage. “Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.”
- There are five prayers in the Lord’s Prayer, and each one changes us as we sincerely pray. Which of the five seems to change you the most these days?
- Two of the prayers are vertical, and three are horizontal. Do you tend to spend more time on the vertical, or the horizontal?
- How is the good news of the gospel displayed in each of the five requests?
- What is your biggest take-away from this passage?
