Why don't we pray? - Audio

This chapter in Luke is perhaps one of the most encouraging when it comes to the subject of prayer. Our text lays out a blueprint for prayer and gives us the example from which we should pattern prayer. The description in the latter verses of our text demonstrate the love that God has for His creation. His intent for us is nothing less than the very best. It is clear that He wants to meet the needs of His children. Even in our limited human capacity, if our children ask something that they need, we will do everything in our power to meet that need. So it is with our heavenly father. Prayer is the key to the relationship with God. The desire to pray is likened to the need for breath. Without air, we will soon die. In our spiritual life, failure to pray will lead to spiritual death. We must all learn the necessity of daily prayer. Prayer is the key to a victorious life. If we do not pray, we will die. Prayer is the key to dealing with life's problems. In prayer, God has a way of getting into our life and dealing with those issues. Prayer is communication. It is not gripes or complaints. it is a two way communication. The Lord's prayer is not a thing to repeat verbatim. It is a pattern and example of HOW to pray. The first part of the prayer has to do with God's interests. The second part of the prayer deals with human interests. If we start with HIs interests and then move to ours, our interests will be first in His response. God's priority must come first before the needs we have. Too many people start with their own needs.

The story about the man asking for bread describes the attitude with which we should pray. The man was not embarrassed to keep knocking and asking. He was not ashamed to ask for assistance with his need. The story is not to demonstrate God’s reluctance to help, but it illustrates the contrast between human attitudes about helping and God’s attitude about helping his children. Our concerns are God's concerns. Our text concludes with a description of the attitude we need to bring to prayer. Ask and it will be given; Seek and we shall find. Ae must ask with expectancy. If we pray expecting that God will provide that; God will honor that. If our child ask for something, would we frustrate them or provide them something dangerous? If we being human would do the best to give our children something that they need, how much more will God being perfect give to His children? We would not mock our children’s needs, but would try to meet those needs. Given all the benefits of prayer; Given the life changing results of prayer, whey don’t we pray? This is not an indictment, but a question. The question can become convicting. Why don’t we pray?