26 - The Sinner's Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)

Prayer humbly seeks God's holiness and the strength to pursue it.

1. Why Prayer is So Hard (vv. 1-2)

   1. Prayer is Humiliating

   2. Prayer is Unnatural (vv. 1-2)

2. What We Pray For (vv. 2-4)

   1. Holiness (vv. 2, 4)

   2. Strength (vv. 3, 13; Deuteronomy 8:1-10)

3. Why Prayer Works (vv. 5-13)

   1. God Loves Us (vv. 5-12)

   2. Jesus Humbled Himself in Prayer (and Death) (v. 1)

   3. Tomorrow’s Bread (vv. 3, 13; Deuteronomy 8:3)

Discussion Starters

1. Monday—What does it mean that prayer takes strength? What scares you about prayer? What keeps people from asking for God’s grace?

2. Tuesday—Why do the disciples ask to be taught how to pray? Do you think of prayer as something that you need to learn how to do? Why or why not?

3. Wednesday—What does it mean that the Lord’s Prayer is about praying for holiness? How do verses 2 and 4 relate to holiness? Why is this a scary thing to pray for?

4. Thursday—What does it mean to pray for today’s bread? What about tomorrow’s bread?Which do you tend to focus on more in your prayers?

5. Friday—What confidence do you have that God will hear and answer your prayers? Does this mean he will give you anything you ask for?