Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
March 3, 2024

“Lord, Teach Us to Pray” (Luke 11:1)
by Bryan Gibson
Jesus did teach them how to pray; in fact, He gave them an example of prayer in the next three verses (Luke 11:2-4), essentially the same “model prayer” He taught earlier in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:9-15).
What does Jesus teach us about prayer in these two passages? (Full text of both passages at the end of this article).
Our main concern in prayer is the same as with every other aspect of our lives—that God’s name be “hallowed” (Luke 11:2; Matthew 6:9), that it be the name above all names, that He be honored and revered as holy. “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory…” (Psalms 115:1). “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name…” (Psalms 79:9).
We need to pray as Jesus did: “not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). No surprise He prayed the same way He taught us to pray: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Luke 11:2; Matthew 6:10).
The kingdom of God should be of great priority when pray to God (Matthew 6:10, 13; Luke 11:4). We don’t pray, “Your kingdom come” (Luke 11:2; Matthew 6:10), because it has come, and God has “transferred us” into it (Col. 1:13-14); instead, we pray, “Your kingdom spread.” And that’s what we’re asking when we pray that laborers be sent into the harvest (Matthew 9:35-38), when we pray for open doors (Colossians 4:3), when we pray for the word to “run swiftly and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him” (Daniel 7:14).
Deliverance from temptation should be our constant prayer (Luke 11:4; Matthew 6:13). As Jesus would later say to Peter, James, and John: “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
But when we do sin, we should always be willing to ask for forgiveness (Luke 11:4; Matthew 6:12). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9). And this ties in with the previous point about God’s “name,” because it’s for His name’s sake we ask for forgiveness (Psalms 25:11; 1 John 2:12).
We dare not ask God to forgive our sins, unless we’re willing to do the same for others: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves ALSO forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15).
We need to ask God each day for the things necessary to sustain life. “Give us day by day by our daily bread” (Luke 11:3); “give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). “I need Thee, O I need Thee; Ev’ry hour I need Thee!—praying this way reminds us just how true this really is.
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:9-15, NKJV).
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Luke 11:1-4, NKJV).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 868-0801
	prattmont@gmail.com / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Classes………...9 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Worship/Bible Study..5 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.