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The Lord’s Prayer - Luke 11
The Lord’s Prayer - Luke 11
In verses 2-10, Luke records what people have labeled as the Lord’s prayer. Personally, the prayer in John 17 is an actual example of Jesus praying and a better subject to be labeled the Lord’s prayer. Here in Luke, it is Jesus’ short answer to the disciple's request to be taught how to pray.
First, just an observation that this is a model to be imitated and not a memorized prayer to be repeated. People have made ‘outlines’ of each concept being utilized here, and taking such outline, have learned to include all of these areas into their own prayers about their own lives, challenges, difficulties, and desires. Teaching us HOW to pray is different from teaching us ‘a prayer to say’!
In fact, comparing this to Matthew’s account, Jesus first warns them about using ‘meaningless repetition’. Prayer is talking to God about YOU: your thankfulness, your awe and praise of Him, your desires for His glory to be seen in the world, your needs, your allegiance and pledge to obediently serve Him. Thus in Matthew, Jesus instructs them to ‘pray in this way’.
Your JOB at this point is to analyze this model prayer. Subjects are likely to include Address, Praise and recognition of His character, request and desire for His rule to dominate our world, a dedication to yourself do His will, your request for the necessities of the day including both food and forgiveness. I would be interested in seeing your analysis of this model prayer if you care to share.
Let us learn to pray as Jesus instructed.
Hugh DeLong
Bonus thoughts – a simple outline of this chapter from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, and encourages earnestness and importunity by two illustrations, 1-13. He casts out a devil, and exposes the absurdity and malice of those who ascribed the miracle to the power of Beelzebub, 14-26. He shows the blessedness of true piety above all external privileges, and warns the impenitent Jews, 27-36. Dining with a Pharisee, he exposes the ignorance, hypocrisy, and wickedness of the Scribes and Pharisees, 37-52; who eagerly endeavor to ensnare and accuse him, 53, 54.
