The Lord's Prayer - A Theology of Prayer

Study 1

Text: Luke 11:1-13

IMPACTED BY THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS

The Disciples of the Lord Jesus had been with their Master for some time now. They had left their all to follow Him. They could not help but notice the tremendous power that was uniquely His as He ministered to the multitudes. Their hearts could not help being impressed by the many messages they heard Him preach. There were many more things that touched and impacted their lives. But surely that was to be expected. How else could it be?

They had heard messages that would forever change their lives. They had seen things that would make an indelible impression upon their hearts. The Lord was indeed keeping His promise to help them become "fishers of men." Their training from the Lord as His Disciples was vigorous, but somehow they found the strength and the courage to press on. Being Disciples of the Lord Jesus was worth everything that they had given up.

"LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY..."

There must have been many lessons the Disciples wanted especially to learn. They had asked Him to explain in detail the meaning of the many parables He spoke to the multitudes. Each time they raised up a question to Him, they were always so deeply enlightened and encouraged when He took time to answer them.

"Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples…" These words tumbled out of the lips of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus one day. This was probably prompted by a number of things:-

The immediate context was the occasion when the Lord Jesus had spent some time in prayer (Luke 11:1).
Some of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus were once upon a time the disciples of John the Baptiser, and they knew that John taught his disciples to pray.
Perhaps, it was also because they felt that their prayer-life needed an overhaul. They had seen their Master get up early in the morning to pray. They had also seen Him spend nights in prayer. Prayer was special in the life of their Master. They were drawn to ask Him to teach them how to pray.

A NEW COLUMN

This passage in the Gospel of Luke is not unfamiliar. The Disciples' question was the introduction to the teaching of "The Lord's Prayer".

The Lord Jesus welcomed their inquiry. It was good that the Disciples desired to learn how to pray at a deeper level. It was important for them to learn how to commune with God in prayer.

He Himself had practised deep prayer all His life. He had once spent forty days and forty nights in prayer. Each day saw Him begin the day with prayer. The day did not end till He had spent sufficient time in communion with His Father. Through prayer, He was invigorated for life and ministry.

If ever there was one lesson His Disciples must learn well, surely it must be in the realm of Prayer. Is this not true for us as well? Do we not need to learn how to deepen our prayer life? This new column is devoted to all who seek to deepen their prayer-life.

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~