Keep Praying This is lesson two (2) in our series “CHRIST Followers.” This is a fitting follow up to last week’s lesson on discipleship. Prayer is essential for every Christian to maintain fellowship and a loving intimate relationship with our FATHER. Simply prayer is communicating with JESUS and our FATHER. JESUS thought prayer was essential for HIS life and HE was GOD in the flesh. Although CHIST is 100% GOD, HE was also 100% human. HE was tempted in all ways like we are, yet without sin. HE prayed before making important decisions such as choosing HIS disciples and before going to THE CROSS. JESUS prayed on many occasions. Our background and focus scripture is Luke 11:1-13. Let’s read Luke 11:1-4. v A disciple asks JESUS to teach them how to pray: 1 He was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “Whenever you pray, say: Father,[1] Other mss read Our Father in heaven Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come.[2] Other mss add Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven 3 Give us each day our daily bread.[3] Or our bread for tomorrow 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone in debt[4] Or everyone who wrongs us to us. And do not bring us into temptation.”[5] Other mss add But deliver us from the evil one Matthew 6: is the most often cited “LORD’S Prayer”, “Model Prayer” or “Disciples Prayer”, which was given in a public setting in the Sermon on the Mount. Luke’s version was given in a private setting. - JESUS is teaching believers how to pray and this prayer is not intended to be the sinner’s prayer for salvation. The sinner’s prayer is “FATHER forgive me of my sins and I ask JESUS to come into my heart or life.” - Verse 2 - Notice JESUS begins the model prayer “When you pray “say”. This is interesting. JESUS said speak your prayer. I said LORD why speak your prayer? Answer – Satan cannot read your mind. When you speak Satan and all his followers hears what you are saying to GOD, THE FATHER. When you want a secret communication just go into your closet so-to-speak and communicate with GOD through your mind or meditate. - When JESUS cast out demons HE spoke to them. Speaking out loud is powerful and puts Satan on notice that you mean business for THE LORD and are not afraid or ashamed. GOD-centered perspective: - Verse 2 - JESUS says when you speak call GOD, FATHER or better translated call HIM “Daddy”. We can address GOD with a personal intimate greeting as “Daddy” but keep in mind GOD is Holy and is to be honored and reverenced. - Ask “Daddy” to send HIS kingdom to reign in the hearts and life of those who submit to HIM in faith through JESUS. The coming of GOD’S kingdom will usher in the period of grace which we cannot earn or even deserve. GOD will give the gift of grace when the penalty of sin is paid in full through the death and resurrection of HIS SON. So the kingdom of GOD is the rule of GOD in every believer’s heart’s until GOD’S kingdom is fully established through the second coming of CHRIST. Personal needs perspective: