Luke 11:1-4 ~ Jesus was praying

“Head of Christ, done from life.” Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn's mid career religious (1650s) scenes depict a Jewish Jesus, to be known personally.



Luke 11:1-4

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹Now 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." 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 [or our bread for tomorrow], ⁴ and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."

My first thought when coming to this Scripture passage is to wonder why the passage stops (Your will be done on Heaven and on earth) and does not continue with.... deliver us from evil for thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory. Amen.

Okay.... Jesus never did say the other portions. But it was my first thought. Amen is, of course, Your will be done. No need to repeat it twice. Jesus didn't say once God's will be done, Jesus was living daily the Father's will. Hallowed is His Father - so the Kingdom, the power and the glory are undoubted His.

Jesus asked God not lead us into temptation. Yet where is this temptation coming from?

Matthew 18:7
"Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!"

Jesus is not saying God tempts us in a human way. God allows circumstance. Solomon said the day of adversity is from the hand of God as the day of blessing. We are defined by our choices. It is part of life to have difficulties and to make decisions. Psalm 7 says God tests our Spirit. He expects good from us.

Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Man's spirit is human. We pray for God to help us escape temptation. I'd imagine when we pray for deliverance from evil - we are merely clarifying for ourselves we agree God does not tempt us.

And it says Jesus was praying in a specific place. He was on that day. Jesus prayed in lonely places, Jesus prayed out loud, Jesus prayed as He healed. Jesus did not have to say an Amen, because it was an ongoing conversation.

There isn't a more perfect posture or place to the Lord.

Eyes open - John 11:41
Shout Ezra 3:11-14
Sing - Psalm 100:4
Loud voice - Acts 7:60
Standing - 1 Kings 8:22
Kneeling - 1 Kings 8:51
Speak with no sound - I Samuel 1:7-10
Face on ground - 2 Chronicles 7:3
Walk - 2 Kings 4:33-35
Squat/bow down - 1 Kings 18:42/ Psalm 95:6
Dance - 2 Samuel 6:14-16
Bow head - Isaiah 58:5
Raise hands in praise - Psalm 134:2
With two or more - Matthew 18:19

In expectation - Matthew 21:21
With persistence - Luke 11:8
In hope, always - Luke 18:1

Jesus always knew His Father heard Him and was eager to be in conversation with Him. Just as our Father is today for you and for me.



Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

When we pray what Protestants call The Lord's Prayer and Catholics call the Our Father, or Pater Noster, I am praying the Book of Common Prayer - Anglican - from the year 1662. Which version speaks to you? I'm happy to pray the below prayer with you. (Remember time is not an obstacle with God!)

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.


I always wanted to know - why have we added on to Jesus' prayer - we are acknowledging we need additional words because we are not perfectly living God's will as sinners. We acknowledge we do not understand God as well as Jesus does. Really, we are exalting Jesus as God. The Lord's prayer encompasses a framework of praise, provision, forgiveness given, forgiveness required and a blessing of peace and protection. Surrounded with the idea that whatever is God's will for us - we will live out with praise for Him. Asking Him to work His will, as in Heaven, in our lives. Great for corporate worship. As we speak to our Father, we need more conversation springing from the framework like a tree. Remember Jesus said to us not to repeat empty phrases heaped up like the Gentiles. God loves you, be at peace!



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