September 28, 2021: SOAP #4317:  Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 

OBSERVATION: This lesson on prayer started with Jesus praying.  It was his example that sparked the disciples’ interest!  (Too many teachings on prayer from Luke 11 start with verse 2 and not verse 1!)  His commitment to pray, His passion in praying caught their attention.  Obviously, Jesus believed that praying was a valuable way to spend His time.  It was worth investing time. 

There was no one better from which to learn.  There was no better teacher.  If ever there was a request that the Lord was pleased to answer, it must have been this one. 

Jesus, in teaching His disciples to pray, started with setting a good example.  (Parents, pastors, church board members, teachers, youth leaders take note!  Teaching people to pray starts with setting a good example!) 

APPLICATION:  Surely, we can never learn enough about prayer.  I want my prayers to be ones that the Lord is delighted to answer.  When I pray, I do not want the Lord woefully L saying, “Oh no, here he is again.  What is he going to ask for this time?”   I want the Lord to be excited to see me. J  “Oh, yes, here he is again!  Angels, come and listen to this prayer.  Listen carefully to what he is asking for this time!” 

PRAYER: Lord you hear so much negative complaining; and you see all the trouble; surely, I can lift your heart by praying for things that would cause you great delight to answer.  “Lord, teach me to pray.” Amen.   

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!