POINT 1. Prayer isn’t a task to master—it’s a relationship to grow.
Luke 11:1 ESV
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.”
POINT 2. You’re not performing for God—you’re talking to your Father.
Luke 11:2–4 ESV
2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins,
POINT 3. You don’t have to beg—just keep showing up.
Luke 11:5–10 ESV
5 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, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 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’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 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. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
POINT 4. God doesn’t hand out scraps—He gives Himself.
Luke 11:11–13 ESV
11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 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!”
Application Points 1. “Prayer isn’t a backup plan. Make it your first move.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV
17 pray without ceasing,
Application Point 2. “Prayer won’t make your house perfect. It makes it stable.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Application Point 3. “Stop memorizing prayers. Start meaning them.”
Jeremiah 29:12 ESV
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.