LUKE PARABLES ABOUT PRAYER

What do they teach us about our attitude and Gods attitude to prayer?
SPLIT INTO 3 GROUPS

THE FRIEND AT MIDNIGHT. LUKE 11: 5-13

5-6

Then he said, Imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the

middle of the night and said, Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. An old
friend traveling through just showed up, and I dont have a thing on hand.
The friend answers from his bed, Dont bother me. The doors locked; my
children are all down for the night; I cant get up to give you anything.
7

But let me tell you, even if he wont get up because hes a friend, if you stand
your ground, knocking and waking all the neighbors, hell finally get up and get
8

you whatever you need.

9

Heres what Im saying:

Ask and youll get;

Seek and youll find;
Knock and the door will open.
10-13

Dont bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-

and-mouse, hide-and-seek game were in. If your little boy asks for a serving of
fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an
egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldnt think of
such a thingyoure at least decent to your own children. And dont you think
the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask
him?
THE PERSISTENT WIDOW. LUKE 18: 1-8
Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray
consistently and never quit. He said, There was once a judge in some city who
never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city
kept after him: My rights are being violated. Protect me!
4-5

He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to

himself, I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But
because this widow wont quit badgering me, Id better do something and see
that she gets justiceotherwise Im going to end up beaten black-and-blue by
her pounding.

6-8

Then the Master said, Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is

saying? So what makes you think God wont step in and work justice for his
chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Wont he stick up for them? I
assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of
persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?
THE PHARISEE AND THE TAX COLLECTOR LUKE 18: 9-14
He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with
themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the
9-12

common people: Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the
other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: Oh, God, I thank you
that I am not like other peoplerobbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid,
like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.
13

Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not

daring to look up, said, God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.
14

Jesus commented, This tax man, not the other, went home made right with

God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, youre going to end up flat on
your face, but if youre content to be simply yourself, you will become more than
yourself.
THE BIBLE ON PRAYER
What element of prayer does each of these verses describe? Give each group 5 verses to discuss in group then
to everyone.

Psalm 55: 17

We should pray regularly

Matthew 5: 44

We should pray for our enemies

Matthew 6: 5-7

We should pray secretly and honestly

Matthew 18: 19-20

We should pray with others

Matthew 21: 21-22

If we pray, we will receive

Matthew 26: 41

Prayer will keep us from sin

Luke 18: 1

Prayer will give us courage

John 14: 12-14

We can talk to God about anything

John 15: 7-8, 16

We should pray with confidence

John 16: 23-26

Prayer involves asking. We should

pray in Jesus' name

Philippians 4: 6-7

We should pray about everything.

We should be thankful

1 Thess. 5: 16-18

We should pray at all times

James 5: 13-14

We should pray for the sick and

others in need

1 John 1: 9

Prayer involves confessing our sins

ARE ANY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND? DO SOME SEEM HARD?

QUOTES

Prayer is conversation with God Clement of Alexandria

Some people pray just to pray and some people pray to know God. Andrew
Murray
When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't pray, they don't. William
Temple
Pray, and let God worry. Martin Luther
PRAY IN GROUPS OF 2/3 USING THE THINGS JUST DISCUSSED.