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Text Sermons : R.A. Torrey : Our Lord Teaching His Disciples How to Pray Luke 11:1–13

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DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS

1. “Lord, Teach Us to Pray,” vv. 1–4
With what request did our Lord’s disciples come to Him? What was it awakened in them such a desire? Do we need to be taught how to pray? (James 4:3, Ro. 8:26.) Will He teach us? How? (Ro. 8:26, 27.) In what different connection in Matthew do we find the prayer that follows? (Matt. 6:9–13.) How do you account for this seeming discrepancy between Matthew and Luke? Is this prayer properly called “The Lord’s Prayer”? Where do we find the Lord’s prayer? (John 17.)
Is this prayer intended as an exact form which the church is to adopt and repeat in all ages? (Matt. 6:9.) Who only has a right to pray this prayer (v. 2)? (Gal. 3:26; Ro. 8:14; 1 John 3:10.) Ought a believer to limit himself to this prayer? (James 5:14; Phil. 4:6.) What feature of Christian prayer is entirely wanting here? (John 14:13.) Why is it wanting?
How does the prayer begin? What truth about God is taught in these opening words? What truth about believers? What is indicated by calling God “Our Father which art in heaven”? (Ps. 115:3; Is. 66:1; Ps. 11:4; Dan. 2:28; Matt. 3:17; 10:32; Acts. 1:9, 10.) What is the first petition? What does it mean? Why is it put first? What does all true prayer put first? What is the second petition? What does that mean? (Is. 2:2–5; Dan. 2:44; 7:27; Rev. 2:15; 19:6; 20:14.) Before the kingdom comes who must come? (Rev. 19:11–16, etc.) What prayer is a good prelude to this? (Rev. 22; 20.) If we truly desire God’s kingdom to come what is the first thing we will do? The second? Do any pray this prayer dishonestly? What is the next petition? What does it mean? (a. Luke 22:42; b. John 6:38; Eph. 6:6; c. 1 Thess. 4:3; d. text.) What is the supreme delight of every true believer? (God’s will.) What will the man who honestly offers this petition do?
What is the fourth petition (v. 3)? How much bread are we to ask for? How much at a time? Are men willing to come to God each day for each day’s need? What miracle in the O. T. teaches the same lesson? (Ex. 16:15–22.) Can the believer confidently trust God to supply each day his need for that day? (Matt. 6:33, 34; Phil. 4:19.) Has he any right to expect more than that?
What is the fifth petition (v. 4)? Is this the prayer of the unsaved man for the forgiveness that makes him God’s child? For what forgiveness is it a prayer? If we are to enjoy the forgiveness that brings fellowship with God what must we do? How about 1 John 1:9? Can there be any fellowship with God if we do not forgive? (Matt. 6:14, 15.) Are there many prayers hindered by an unforgiving spirit? (Mark 11:25, 26.) What does the fact that in this permanent model of prayer the request for forgiveness is placed alongside the request for daily bread indicate as to the disciples’ daily need? Is the fact of our forgiving others the ground upon which God forgives us? (Eph. 1:7; 4:32.) What is the condition upon which the believer gets forgiveness? (1 John 1:9.) Why is the prayer for pardon put first of the prayers for spiritual blessing? Who are meant by those indebted to us?
What is the sixth petition? What is meant by “Bring us not into temptation”? Will God bring us into temptation? (Jas. 1:13; Job. 1:12; 2:6.) What limit does God put to our temptations? (1 Cor. 10:13.) Why ought we to offer this petition? (Matt. 26:41.) What spirit does this petition reveal upon the part of the one who offers it? What will the one who honestly offers it do?
What is the final petition? What change do the Revisers make in it? (Matt. 6:13.) Where did our Lord Himself offer this petition for His disciples? (John 17:15.)
2. The Power of Importunity, vv. 5–10
With what parable did our Lord follow this prayer? What is its lesson? In what other parable is the same lesson taught? (Luke 18:1–8.) Is it right to ask the same thing more than once? If we are in the right spiritual condition and have the right conception of God, will we not claim it on the first asking and rest upon that? (Matt. 26:44.) What illustrations have we in the Bible of importunate prevailing prayer? (Gen. 32:26; Matt. 15:22–28.) What three commands are there in v. 9? What three promises? Upon what are the promises conditioned? Why don’t men receive? (Jas. 4:2.) Why don’t they find? Why is it not opened to them? Is it a duty to pray? (Luke 18:1.) Why does our Lord say “Ask, seek, knock,” and not merely “Ask”? What sweeping statement does He make about every one that asks (v. 10)? Does He mean that God hears everybody’s every prayer?
3. The Heavenly Father’s Willingness to Give to His Asking Children, vv. 11–13
What is the argument our Lord uses to prove God’s readiness to answer prayer? Is it a good argument? What fact about God do all these reasonings of philosophers about the impossibility of God’s answering prayer based upon the reign of law lose sight of? What statement does our Lord make in regard to human nature? How evil is it? (Gen. 6:5, 6; 8:21; Ps. 51:5; Ro. 7:7, 8; 3:10–19.) What is the only thing that will change it? (Titus 3:3–5.) Does our Lord include Himself in this estimate of human nature? What does that prove as to His conception of Himself? To whom is it men give in answer to requests? To whom according to this argument may we expect God to give? Who are His children? (John 1:12, 13; Gal. 3:26.) To which of His children does God give? Why is it then that so many of God’s children lack the fullness of blessing? (Jas. 4:2; Ps. 81:10.) Why is it many lack who do ask? (Jas. 4:3.) What does God especially give to them that ask? How does Matthew differ from Luke here? (Matt. 7:11.) Why are the promises substantially the same? If we want the Holy Spirit what shall we do? Will God give only what we ask? (Eph. 3:20.)
CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS

1. God
His relation to man—Father, 2;
His home—heaven, 2;
His honor and will—supreme, 2;
His character—holy, 2; compassionate, approachable, 2, 5;
His work—answers prayer, 2, 5, 13; rules, 2; feeds the hungry, 3; forgives the sinner, protects the weak, 4.
2. Our Lord
Divine, 13; human, 1; sinless, 13; the teacher of true prayer, 14.
3. Man
Ignorant, 1; weak, dependent, a daily sinner, 3, 4; evil, in the divine image, 13.
4. Believers
Brethren, 2;
God’s glory their supreme desire, 2;
God’s will their supreme delight, 2;
God’s kingdom their supreme hope, 2.
They have forgiveness, 4; earthly necessities supplied, 3; protection, 4. Daily dependent upon God for support, 3; forgiveness, safety, 4.
5. Prayer
(1). What to pray for:
God’s glory first, God’s kingdom, God’s will, 2; our daily needs, 3; our daily forgiveness, our daily protection, 4; the Holy Ghost, 13.
(2). How to pray:
Trustfully, 2, 13; simply, briefly, to the point, 2, 5; importunately, 5, 10.
(3). When to pray:
Daily, 3; constantly, 9, 10.






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