Introduction: In the travel narrative of Luke (9:51-19:44), which we are working our way through this fall, we are seeking to learn what it means to be people “on the way,” people on a journey with Jesus, people who are looking to discover and live the life that is truly life. Last week, at the home of Martha, we saw that to have the heart of Jesus, to practice the kind of life-giving mercy that he holds up for us in the parable of the Good Samaritan, we must stay connected to his feet. That, remember, was the position in which we found Mary. It’s the submissive position of a learner, the position assumed by one who wants to live like his or her teacher.

 

Well, you may have left last week wondering: What are we to do at the feet of Jesus?  On the one hand we listen. We listen to his word, as Mary was doing, for it is his word that shapes us and forms us. But we also, if we are connected to his feet, seek to go where he goes in order to do what he does. And one of the places we see Jesus go, frequently, is to the Father in prayer. Now what’s interesting to note is that by this time in their journey with him, the followers of Jesus have begun to notice something. They are beginning to sense that doing what he does is not just a matter of imitation (putting on their “WWJD” bracelets). Instead, they have noticed that Jesus spends regular time at the feet of his Father, and they’ve begun to get the idea that if they really want to be like Jesus, if they really want to do what he does they will need to operate out of that same divinely-fueled center from which he operates. And so they ask him, “Lord, teach us to pray….” Teach us how to cultivate and live from a relationship with the Lord of heaven and earth, like you do.

 

So, Jesus gives them two things. First, he gives them an outline for prayer. Second, he gives them the encouragement they will need to remain persistent in prayer.

 

I. An Outline for Prayer (vv. 1-4)

            A. The outline Jesus provides is what we’ve come to know as the Lord’s Prayer. Luke gives it to us in its briefest form. It consists of an address, two reminders, and three requests. The address, “Father,” is significant and not to be glossed over. It reveals that when we pray, we are not trying to get our minds around a spiritual principle, or harness an impersonal power. Instead, we are dealing with a God who is personal and relational. We are invited to communicate with the one who has set the universe in place, but who, at the same time, desires to know and be known by us. This God to whom we pray both stands over and above the created order as “wholly other,” and yet in Jesus has come to us as Immanuel – “God with us” – and, through his Spirit, offers to live in us.

 

Further, the term “Father” is a family term. As such, it reveals the God who, beginning with the Israelites in Egypt, has redeemed and adopted his people into a household or family of faith. So, we are invited to come to this head of the household, to this Father, in childlike trust, together. As Jesus begins: “When you (pl.) pray, say . . .” and then the address is preceded by the word “our.” It’s not that we can’t and shouldn’t pray this prayer alone. It’s that it is a prayer that shapes and forms us as a community, not just a person, of faith.

 

            B. While we are to enjoy this incredible intimacy with God, the next two statements remind us not to take it for granted or presume upon it.

 

1. First, the name of the Father is to be hallowed. That is, it is to be respected, praised, or well represented as we live out our lives as his children.

 

Illustration: Last week, her coach informed her that for Thursday’s cross country meet, Iela would need a pair of blue running shorts. The multi-colored ones that many middle schoolers wear would not convey team unity! Fortunately, Iela was able to borrow a pair of her sisters. However, she noticed that on this particular pair, her sister’s name had been stitched, so she would be running with a pair of shorts that said “Thais” on them. I told her that she needed to uphold this name as she raced; the honor of her big sister was at stake!

 

The honor of God is at stake based upon how we run the race of faith. Will we represent God well, hallowing his name?

 

2. As we pray that we represent God well, we also pray, secondly, that his kingdom would come, that his just rule and his peace would fill the earth. It’s a prayer that reminds us that we live in light of where history is headed – in light of the future consummation of his kingdom – but also seeking to live out his kingdom values and experience kingdom life as we live here and now, today. We pray both that his kingdom would come in the future, but also in our daily life.

 

            C. Finally, Jesus directs us to give voice to three essential requests: food, forgiveness, and Fatherly protection. We are to pray that God would provide the sustenance we need for each day, that he restore our relationship with him when we sin (and that we would have a willingness to give what we’ve asked for), and that he would lead us because without his leading, we are prone to wander into temptation.

 

That’s the outline. That’s how Jesus instructs his followers to communicate with our heavenly Father. As we pray it at home, the best way is not to rush through it, but stop after each phrase, ponder how that phrase intersects with your life on that day, and allow that phrase to direct your conversation with God.

 

II. The Encouragement to Remain Persistent (vv. 5-13)

            A. Interestingly, what Jesus spends more time talking about with those who want to learn how to pray is the nature of the one to whom they are praying. It’s really an expansion of the address, “Father.” If that address informs us that we are praying to a personal and relational God, what’s he like? Is he worth spending time with? Does he care, especially when we’re in the valley of the shadows and heaven seems deaf! If we can be sure that this God is for us, that he is gracious and generous, then we will be encouraged to remain persistent in our conversation with him. If he’s not for us, why bother? Jesus believes strongly that we should bother and provides a couple of real life situations to encourage his listeners to that end.

 

            B. The first situation is presented by Jesus in the form of a parable, and as in most of his parables, it comes straight out of the context of real life. Here’s the context: First, in the first century, there were no convenience stores. Second, hospitality was held in high regard so no matter when a guest arrived, he was to be welcomed and cared for. Third, in most ancient homes, there was only one room, so everyone slept together. Thus, when Jesus paints a picture of a guest arriving at midnight, and the host has no bread to offer him, there is a dilemma. The rules of hospitality required for the travelers to be fed, but to approach a friend at that late hour to see if he had any bread to lend would risk waking up his entire household. It’s no wonder that the friend at first refuses to get up. Like many parents, he has just finished putting the kids to bed and he really, really doesn’t want to have to do it all over again! He’s worn out…you know the feeling. Yet, the man in need of bread remains bold – persistent – is another way the word can be translated, and his persistence moves his exhausted friend to open his door, and his cupboard, to meet this man’s needs.

 

            C. The second situation simply puts a question to human fathers. How many of us would give our children bad things? How many of us would give them snakes and scorpions, when what they really need are fish and eggs? How many of us, if we know our kids need equipment to play soccer, would give them a briefcase and a necktie? How many of us, if they needed a laptop computer, would buy them a typewriter? Even thought we dads can be dense, and we’re certainly sinful, we still know how to give good and appropriate gifts to our children.

 

In both situations Jesus moves in his logic from the lesser to the greater. If exhausted neighbors, and dense and sinful dads, can be gracious and generous, how much more will our Father in heaven meet our needs? In fact, Jesus concludes, he will meet our greatest need – the need for his presence each and every moment of the day – which we have through the gift of his Spirit. We have a heavenly Father who, in fact, gives us more than just things; he gives us himself. We can come to him knowing that his door is always open. We can persist in prayer because we know who he is and what he is like; he is everything an exhausted neighbor and a dense dad is not.

 

This picture of God is affirmed for us each time we come to his table. Here we receive bread, bread that represents his life giving presence. As we feed on it by faith, we are reminded that he has given up his life for us, broken that we might become whole and satisfied in him. Let us go to his table, knowing that he is willing and eager to meet our deepest needs.