Lord, Teach Us to Pray
Passage: Luke 11:1-13
Rabbis often taught their disciples a characteristic prayer, as John the Baptist did (v1). Luke often shows Jesus praying (3:21, 6:12, 9:28).
Overview
The disciples saw Jesus pray and asked him to teach them. He gave a short model prayer and told a story about a friend at midnight to show that God welcomes persistent asking.
Going deeper
Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer is shorter than Matthew's. The midnight friend (v5-8) turns on 'importunity' (anaideia, shamelessness). The argument from lesser to greater (v11-13) ends with the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Key verses (KJV)
- Luke 11:1 Lord, teach us to pray.
- Luke 11:9 Ask, seek, knock: present tense, keep asking.
- Luke 11:13 How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit.
From the commentaries
1. There are some differences between the Lord's prayer in Matthew and Luke, by which it appears that it was not the design of Christ that we should be tied up to these very words, for then there would have been no variation. Here is one difference in the translation only, which ought not to have been, when there is none in the original, and that is in the third petition: As in heaven, so in earth; whereas the words are the very same, and in the same order, as in Matthew. But there is a difference in the fourth petition. In Matthew we pray, "Give us daily bread this day:" here, "Give it us day by day"—kath hemeran. Day by day; ...
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721)
1. one, &c.—struck with either the matter or the manner of our Lord's prayers. as John, &c.—From this reference to John, it is possible that disciple had not heard the Sermon on the Mount. Nothing of John's inner teaching (to his own disciples) has been preserved to us, but we may be sure he never taught his disciples to say, "Our Father."
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)
Christ teaches his disciples to pray, Luk 11:1-4. Shows the necessity of importunity in prayer, Luk 11:5-13. Casts out a dumb demon, Luk 11:14. The Jews ascribe this to the power of Beelzebub; our Lord vindicates his conduct, Luk 11:15-23. Miserable state of the Jews, Luk 11:24-26. Who they are that are truly blessed, Luk 11:27, Luk 11:28. He preaches to the people, Luk 11:29-36. A Pharisee invites him to dine with him, who takes offense because he washed not his hands, Luk 11:37, Luk 11:38. Our Lord exposes their hypocrisy, Luk 11:39-44. He denounces woes against the lawyers, Luk 11:45-52. The scribes and Pharisees are greatly offended, and strive to entangle him in his words, Luk 11:53, Lu
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)
It is uncertain whether this form was once only or twice delivered by Christ to his disciples. Some think that the latter is more probable; because Luke says that he was requested to do it, while Matthew represents him as teaching it of his own accord. But as we have said, that Matthew collects all the leading points of doctrine, in order that the whole amount of them may be more clearly perceived by the readers when they are placed in close succession, it is possible that Matthew may have omitted to mention the occasion which is related by Luke. On this subject, however, I am unwilling to debate with any person. Luke 11:1 As John also taught his diciples. John delivered to his disciples a p
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)
Verse 1. As he was praying. Luke has taken notice of our Saviour's praying often. Thus, at his baptism Lu 3:21; in the wilderness (Lu 5:16); before the appointment of the apostles, he continued all night in prayer (Lu 6:12); he was alone praying (Lu 9:18); his transfiguration also took place when he went up to pray Lu 9:28,29. Teach us to Pray. Probably they had been struck with the excellency and fervour of his prayers, and, recollecting that John had taught his disciples to pray, they asked him also to teach them. We learn, therefore— 1st. That the gifts and graces of others should lead us to desire the same. 2nd. That the true method of praying can be learned only by our being properly ta
Albert Barnes, Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (1834-1885)
Application
- What do you notice about Jesus' own prayer life?
- What have you stopped asking God for?
- Pray verse 13 for yourself today.