Prayer Series – Breathe: Prayer is to Approach God Luke 11: 1-13 Pr Chris Manivannan | 21/22 Jul 2018 ==================================== INTRODUCTION Jesus taught the disciples on prayer by _____________ the Heavenly Father boldly and with confidence. BIG IDEA: PRAYING IS APPROACHING GOD It is by prayer we approach God. The understanding of God will always be nurtured by prayer. The more we pray, the better our understanding of God. The disciples wanted to learn how to pray like Jesus and therefore Jesus told them this parable - The Friend at Midnight. The nature of prayer: 1. No _____________ for God. Any time is a __________ time! (V. 5,6) “Suppose you have a friend”…. Jesus asked a _____________ question….the master storyteller leading the people to answer an evident question concerning prayer. In the context of the parable, arriving at someone’s house at midnight was highly _____________. 2. No ___________ for God. Any request is a _________ request! (V. 5,6) God’s help is _____________. His generosity _____________ what we ask for. The host knocked at a bad time because he had an emergency on his hands. In these situations Jesus says, “Pray. Ask”. 3. No _____________ from God. God __________ every request! (V. 7,8) The Greek word anaideia, is better translated as _____________ or _____________. The request _____________the neighbour something. The emphasis here is on the _____________, on his _____________ and _____________ qualities, not on the persistence of the host. When God hears our requests in prayer, it _____________ him something. God will never deny His _____________. We have ____________ when we pray. Even in unusual circumstances, or in times of emergency, he will answer because of His ____________. BIG IDEA: PRAYING IS APPROACHING GOD CONCLUSION: 1. God is our Father in Heaven who loves us to _____________ him with our requests. 2. This parable on prayer told by Jesus is to _________ us to go on praying because of the kind of Father that He is. He is a good Father! (V.13) Questions for discussion ======================== 1. Share a testimony on an answered prayer where you experienced God’s unusual favour. 2. What are your personal hindrances that keep you from approaching God? Pray to encourage the person to approach God confidently.