Luke 11:9-10 So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
One of the definition of PRAYER in my Collins dictionary is;
A PERSONAL COMMUNICATION OR PETITION ADDRESSED TO A DEITY, esp in the form of SUPPLICATION, ADORATION, PRAISE, CONTRITION, AND THANKSGIVING.
Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. One of Jesus’ disciple asks in the opening verses of Luke 11. In other words, the disciples wanted to know HOW TO PRAY. In answer to their question, Jesus taught them rather not HOW TO PRAY but WHEN THEY PRAY. In a very simple yet powerful way, he said,
FATHER, HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
YOUR KINGDOM COME
GIVE US EACH DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
FORGIVE US OUR SINS
FOR WE ALSO FORGIVE EVERYONE WHO SINS
AGAINST US
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION Luke 11:2-4
Before and after Jesus, they were other people whose fervent prayers had been answered. Of course, before Jesus’ arrival into the scene, the disciples had grown up in Judaism. Therefore, in more ways than one, they were familiar with prayer. Then, why in the world would they ask the Lord to teach them how to prayer? Simple. Because they were looking for RELATIONSHIP. In the Old Covenant, God revealed Himself only through the prophets and priests. They knew God’s requirement through the Law of Moses. In a sense, for the ordinary Israelite, prayer was a one-way traffic. God’s appearance to individuals after they had prayed was the exception and not the rule.
But something changed. Before that day, no-one, not even Elijah whose fervent prayer had held back the rains for three and a half years had the audacity to call God, Father. At least, nowhere in the Old Testament is there mention of anyone coming to God and addressing Him as Father in prayer. Yet, here they were, the disciples…ordinary men being asked to call God, Father.
Suddenly, they understood. It didn’t quite matter how the words were formulated but rather, whenever they would come to God in prayer…they had this one assurance: GOD, THE FATHER KNEW WHAT WAS BEST FOR THEM, HIS CHILDREN. Like Abraham, God had become THEIR EXCEEDINGLY GREAT REWARD Therefore, now as sons…they knew what was their Father’s, was also theirs.
Remember the words of Jesus and be encouraged:
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN GIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM! Luke 11:13
RAINBOW GULF OF LOVE 
We can never pray enough if we hear the needs around us and thank you for encouraging us to reflect on whom we pray to, how we pray to him and what that prayer is like. I lost my Dad in 2003 and have held onto God’s hand for fatherly wisdom and so calling God ‘Abba Father’ or even ‘Daddy’ is precious to me. Thank you Gladwell! God bless you as you continue to minister his word to the lost.
thanks for this post!
I agree that Jesus taught us to have a covenant relationship with the Father, just as He does. I liked how you related this fact with prayer — I mean, how else can we go to God if not for the Son who taught us how to pray and adore our Heavenly Father?
God bless you for this wonderful and enriching post.
May we constantly grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Regards,
Ruthie
HI Gladwell! Thank you do much…this Blessed \me. Love E
I think they must have seen Jesus prayer relationship with the Father in action, and realised that they didn’t know how to do it! Great post, thank you 🙂
Thanks and God Bless