Ask, Search, Knock - A Sermon on The Lord's Prayer ( Luke 11:1-13)
Sometimes I try to say my prayers, but I find my mind wandering. I’m not alone in this; many days, prayer feels out of reach for us – we try but can’t pray, or don’t know what to say. This is the time when ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ becomes a great substitute because it teaches us how to approach our Heavenly Father. So, let’s listen to what the Spirit teaches us about prayer.
We read in Genesis that Adam walked and talked with God in the cool breeze of the Garden of Eden. But we live in a world where the divine often feels veiled. We don’t see God with our eyes, and so when we approach Him through prayers, we wonder if our words are enough, if our prayers are reaching heaven, or if we’re doing it “just right.” Sometimes we fumble, pause, and second-guess ourselves. One writer, Philip Yancey, describes praying as a posture. ‘It’s the soul leaning toward the unseen, trusting that even our stammering is sacred.’
The disciples noticed that Jesus stepped away to pray alone, and they became curious about his time with God. So, they bravely asked him, ‘Teacher, teach us to pray’—in other words, ‘how should we approach God and what do we say when we pray?’ But Jesus already knew how nervous people are about prayer. So he makes it a teaching moment, reminding his disciples that prayer is a ritual of asking, which opens a conversation with the divine.
The Challenge and Mystery of Prayer—
Praying can feel intimidating because it involves speaking into mystery. Jesus’ teaching on prayer gently removes fear and the unknown around praying. The mystery doesn’t mean God is near or distant; it means God is vast and beyond our understanding. In that vastness, God still leans low to listen when we pray. Sometimes, the lack of words makes us panic, feeling spiritually undeveloped, as if faith should always be bold and fluent. But maybe fear isn’t a flaw—it’s a doorway.
Approaching the Divine in Prayer—
Prayer is where God and humanity meet and connect—it’s a way we meet God halfway, acknowledging His divinity. Jesus said, when you pray, say: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’ These words are an acknowledgement and praise of God’s holiness. The next phrase—‘Thy Kingdom come’—guides us to focus on God’s way or will, which means trusting God to control and reign over the hearts of His children on earth, just as it is in heaven.
Persistent in Prayer—Jesus’ Teaching—
Jesus often used examples or metaphors to clarify His teachings. In this Gospel, He compares prayer to knocking on a neighbor’s door in the middle of the night, demanding three loaves of bread. Who does that? The neighbor doesn’t want to get up because he’s already in bed with his family. But Jesus advises, ‘Don’t be discouraged—keep knocking—keep asking until the neighbor gives in.’ Can you see yourself doing that, and do you understand the point?
The metaphor works in the culture of Jesus’ time. Back then, it was common for people to live in one-room houses, with everyone sleeping in the same space—animals on one side, children right beside the bed. Imagine the chaos if someone knocks and gets you up in the middle of the night! (Babies crying, dogs barking, sheep bleating). That’s why, if you have bread, you’ll give it out of necessity—to ensure peace for everyone. That makes sense!
Does this mean God will answer all prayers if we keep asking, even if they are for wrong motives or circumstances? Jesus uses words like “Ask… Seek… Knock”—all in the present continuous tense—highlighting ongoing engagement with God. He assures us that God, like a good parent, will give generously, not reluctantly or annoyed, but freely, even giving us the Holy Spirit.
Examples of Persistent Prayer—
Scripture is full of stories of persistence. Jacob kept wrestling with God, refusing to let go without a divine blessing and spiritual renewal (Gen. 32:22-32). Hannah prayed earnestly in anguish for a child; she prayed in the temple for years until God answered with a son (1 Sam. 1:9-28). And Jesus told the story of the persistent widow who sought justice from a judge, demonstrating the power of persistent prayer (Lk. 18:1-8).
The Nature of God’s Response—
The Lord’s Prayer is a prayer of submission, yet it is filled with God’s tenderness, sovereignty, and His power to guide us. It also opens a way to ask for forgiveness and experience God’s guidance and protection.
In Jesus' example, the man who responds to his friend’s request isn't acting out of kindness, but to stop the nagging. Jesus’ point isn’t that God is like the neighbor—it’s the opposite. God is nothing like him—don’t get this wrong. Jesus uses this image to show how radically different God is. The contrast is clear—God gives freely, attentively, and lovingly all the time, never annoyed. We receive because God is inherently good and generous, even when we're not always faithful.
My friends, God may seem quiet at times, but rest assured, He’s right beside us. That’s why Jesus teaches us to be persistent in asking. "So, I say to you, Ask, Search, Knock. Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.'
Amen!