Bible Study / Luke 11:1-13

When It Feels Like You Don’t Have A Prayer

Get Started:
1. Do you know of a time when you were the answer to a prayer? Tell your group about it.

Go Deep:
3. Read Luke 11:1-13. In Luke 11:2, Jesus tells His disciples to “say.” Do you think He is giving the disciples an exact prayer to recite? Why or why not?

4. In Luke 11:4, the prayer is to not be led into temptation. Does God lead people into temptation? Read James 1:13.

• James 1:13 says that God doesn’t tempt anyone. But it doesn’t say anything about God leading someone into temptation.
• Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tempted. The Holy Spirit was not the tempter. It was the devil. See Matthew 3:1.

5. In Luke 11:4, what is the relationship between praying for forgiveness and praying to not be lead into temptation? Are they connected?

• I think you need to pray both things in verse 4 – both forgive me for messing up and help me stay out of temptation. One without the other is incomplete. If you prayed the first part, and really wanted to stop sinning, wouldn’t it make sense to pray the second part? And if you prayed more for staying clear of temptation, is it possible you might have fewer times when you need to come and ask for forgiveness?

6. Verse 4 makes an interesting connection between asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness to others; we can’t be praying and asking God to forgive our sins, if we aren’t willing to forgive those who sin against us. Is there someone you need to forgive?

7. Read Luke 11:5-8. What is the main point of this passage? Why did the friend give as much as was needed? What does this passage teach you about your prayer life?

8. Read Luke 11:9-10. What does everyone who asks receive?

• Keep reading!

9. Read 1Corinthians 14:15. When you pray, do you find yourself thinking carefully through your prayer or simply letting it come out? Which do you prefer when you pray and why?

10. What Bible passages give advice on how to pray. What advice do you find yourself using when you pray?

• Philippians 4:6
• Colossians 4:2
• 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
• 1Timothy 2:1, 2:8
• Jude 1:20
• James 5:13-16
• 1Peter 3:7, 4:7
• Luke 5:16, 6:28, 18:1
• Proverbs 28:9
• Daniel 9:3
• Romans 12:12

11. Read some of Paul’s prayers and describe what you learn about prayer from him. What did he pray about most frequently? Most fervently? Does there seem to be a common theme in his prayers?
(Romans 10:1, 11:33-36, 15:5-6, 15:13, 15:30-33, 16:25-27, 1Corinthians 16:23-34, 2Corinthians 13:7-9, 13:14, Galatians 1:3-5, 6:18, Ephesians 1:15-19, 3:14-21, 1Thessalonians 1:2-3, 3:10-13, 2Thessalonians 1:11-12, 3:16, Philippians 1:3-11, Colossians 1:9-14, Philemon 1:4-6.)


Make It Practical:
1) We probably all think we could pray more. If this is the way you feel, what will you do about it?


Quote Of The Week
When life knocks you to your knees—well, that’s the best position in which to pray, isn’t it?
--Ethel Barrymore