Scripture to Read: Luke 11:2
We know Jesus had already taught this same basic prayer outline, as God had Matthew record for us in Matthew 6:9–13. The reason Jesus repeated some of the basic outline in Luke 11 is that it reveals how important prayer is to all of Jesus’ followers. Notice that Jesus did not repeat the prayer exactly as recorded in Matthew 6. God wants us to see that the prayer itself is not to be used as a word-for-word ritual prayer. Also, in the days of Jesus, many Rabbis taught their followers that the longer the prayer, the more likely it was to be worthy of God’s attention. Jesus did not pray a lengthy prayer, but one that hit on the importance of who God is and what He does for His children. As Christians, we are not to try to impress God with our words or the length of our prayers. We must choose to hunger for a deep intimacy with our Heavenly Father and trust that He is listening to us because we are His children. God tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.” God knows our needs. He wants us to recognize that He alone can meet our needs. In Matthew 6:8, before He started the model prayer, Jesus said it this way, “So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Challenge & Application
Why are we not to try to impress God with our words or the length of our prayers?
How do we know God listens to us, and what is one of the most important aspects of prayer?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!