Youth STS Lesson 104 Jesus Teaches on Prayer
MEMORY VERSE: “And it Came to pass, that, as he Was praying in a certain Place, when he ceased, One of his disciples said Unto him, Lord, teach us To pray, as John also Taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1).
TEXT: Luke 11:1-13
The Study today focuses on the teaching of Jesus Christ on I the best way a Christian youth should pray to receive answers from God. One of the disciples of Christ who had Witnessed Jesus pray with definite results made this request: “.. Lord, teach us to pray” (Verse 1). This disciple may have noticed that their prayers were not producing results like that Of Jesus Christ. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).
Question 1: What is prayer?
Prayer is having fellowship with God. It is the request of a de Child to a faithful Father. It is the demand of a child of God who is in need of an Ail-sufficient God. God talks to Through His word; we respond by prayer. We must there know how to communicate with Him. Through prayer, make our request known unto God. “Be careful for nothing; But in everything by prayer and supplication of Thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6).
- THE PATTERN OF AN ACCEPTABLE PRAYER
Luke 11:1–4: Mark l:35; Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 6:18
“And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father Which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us Day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we Also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us Not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4). The above is popularly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. Though our Lord did not instruct His disciple to be reciting This prayer as some religious sects do, He gives us a pattern That an acceptable prayer should follow. The necessity of Prayer cannot be overemphasized in a believer’s life. We are to follow the footsteps of Jesus by cultivating the habit of Communicating with our heavenly Father.
Question 2: Mention instances where Jesus was found praying.
The disciples of Jesus always found Him praying. His prayers were also result -oriented. These motivated one of the Disciples to ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. In the Bible: There are many instances where Jesus prayed:
One, Jesus Prayed at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36).
Two, He prayed on the mountain (Luke 6:12).
Three, Jesus prayed in the Wilderness (Luke 5:16).
Four, He prayed for the believer’s Sanctification (John 17:20).
Five, Jesus prayed for Peter’s Restoration and steadfastness (Luke 22:32).
Six, Jesus Prayed at the cross (Luke 23:34).
The Bible is replete with people who prayed. Great men and women like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Elijah, Hannah, etc. who were used by God in the Old Testament were people of prayer. ‘New Testament saints also took after the Lord Jesus Christ. Similarly, every Christian youth must cultivate a life of Prayer.
Question 3: Mention different components of the Lord’s Prayer.
The pattern of prayer taught by the Lord Jesus Christ can be broken down to different components as follows:
(i) Our Father which art in heaven – a praying youth must first of All have a right relationship with God. There must be a Father-child relationship;
(ii) Hallowed be thy name-we reverence God for who He is and what He can do. Prayers must begin with worship and thanksgiving to God:
(iii) Thy Kingdom come – we acknowledge His coming kingdom. We Also pray that we should be prepared and made fit for His Kingdom to come;
(iv) Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in Earth-we pray for the salvation of souls on earth. We pray That righteousness will reign and His kingdom will be Established on earth;
(v) Give us day by day our daily bread, We constantly look up to God for our daily need and supply. We also recognize that all we are and have, come from God. This brings us closer to God to get our daily manna:
(vi) And Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is Indebted to us – we must realize that we were once sinners Sold to sin. We were forgiven, so we should forgive others. We Also pray to have a godly, lovely and peaceful disposition to Our neighbours;
(vii) And lead us not into temptation-In a World ridden with sin and ungodliness, we must We Always To overcome temptation. We pray for grace to stand against the onslaught of Satan and sin;
(viii) But deliver us from evil, Satan daily sets traps of evil. Our prayers of faith will deliver Us.
- PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYERS
Luke 11:5 – 8; Matthew 6:5–13; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Luke 18:1-8
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men Ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Christian youths easily give up in prayers. They pray without waiting for an answer. To such youths, Jesus told a story of a Persistent traveler. The man came to knock at a friend’s door in Meal. The friend who was already in bed refused to offer him the three loaves.
Question 4: What major lesson can we learn from the Continual knocking of the friend in our story?
“I say unto you, though he will not rise and give him, Because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity, He will rise and give him as many as he needed” (verse 8). We learn here that it is not enough to pray; we must continue Until answers come. This is perseverance! This shows that
God will not ignore Christian youths who pray and wait upon Him. Just as Daniel, whose prayer was delayed by the Prince of Persia (Daniel 10:13), there are other factors that may Bring delay to the answers of our prayer. It could be that God’s appointed time for the answer has not yet come, like in The case of Abraham (Genesis l8:13,14). Whatever the Reason for the delay, Christian youths are encouraged to keep praying and never to give up. If the unrighteous judge Can be moved by the perseverance of a widow (Luke 18:2-5), How much more will our loving God respond to our persistent Prayers.
Question 5: What do Christian youths stand to gain When they are persistent in prayer?
Any youth who prays persistently, will get manifold blessings From God.
One, he will receive whatever he asks of the Lord (Matthew 7:8).
Two, he will have the treasures of life (Deuteronomy 28:12).
Three, there will be open doors of Opportunity (Colossians 4:3).
Four, he will have divine Revelation (Jeremiah 33:3).
Five, he will spend eternity with God.
- PROFITS THROUGH PRAYERS
Luke 11:9-13; Isaiah 40:30,31; Daniel 10:12-14; John 16:24
“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, And ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Luke 11:9). There is assurance from God that the prayer of godly Youths will be answered. Jesus compared the commitment of earthly Parents to the welfare of their children with the unparalleled love and affection of the benevolent God towards His dear children. “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him” (Luke 11:13). Sadly, most youths still manage their problems and would not take them to the Lord in prayer. A songwriter says:
“Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pains we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”.
Question 6: Cite instances of people whose prayers were answered in the Bible?
“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). Every answered prayer comes with joy Bible excitement. Sarah and Hannah had their joys fulfilled at the answers to their prayers for the fruit of the womb. Esther, Mordecai and the entire Jews celebrated the answer to their three-days fasting and prayers which brought salvation to their generation. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). This is the consolation of all Christian youths who desire anything according to the will of God. There is assurance of answered prayers.