1. Luke 11 - What should we pray for, and how?
In Luke 11 Jesus teaches the disciples the model "Lord's Prayer" and illustrates the attitude of prayer with the parable of the Friend at Midnight.
The highest priority: God's glory and kingdom
The prayer begins, "Father, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come" (Lk 11:2). Pastor Jang underscores that this is the premise and starting point of all prayer. Our petitions must reach beyond personal wish‑fulfillment and aim ultimately at God's will being done on earth and His name being glorified. When we truly confess, "May Your will be done, may Your name be honored," God actively intervenes in our lives and grants concrete answers.
Comprehensive petitions for every area of life
After seeking God's kingdom, Jesus invites us to present our practical needs:
- Prayer for the present - Daily bread
"Give us each day our daily bread" (Lk 11:3) refers not only to spiritual nourishment. Pastor Jang explains that the phrase encompasses food, finances, shelter-everything materially necessary to live today. To ask boldly is not greed but an honest appeal for existential provision. - Prayer for the past - Forgiveness
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Lk 11:4a). This request unlocks the wounds, resentment, and bitterness of the past. Pastor Jang points out that harboring hatred prevents sincere prayer; Scripture warns that if we withhold forgiveness, God will not forgive us. A posture of forgiveness is indispensable for answered prayer. - Prayer for the future - Protection from temptation
"Lead us not into temptation" (Lk 11:4b) anticipates future trials and enticements. Acknowledging our frailty, we ask God to rescue us from sin and evil. Only He can clothe our weakness with His strength.
The attitude of prayer: "Importunate" love
Jesus' parable depicts a man knocking for three loaves at midnight (Lk 11:5‑8). In the honor‑bound culture of the day, pounding on a door after dark was rude and shameful, yet the man persisted out of love for his guest. Pastor Jang explains that the turning point is not friendship but the shameless persistence of the pleader. God already knows our needs, but at times He desires us to cling tenaciously, expressing our love and deepening our relationship. Prayer, then, is not merely a way to get things; it is a process of loving communion with God.
2. Luke 18 - Why must we never give up?
In Luke 18 Jesus tells the disciples "always to pray and not lose heart," illustrating the point with the parable of the Unjust Judge and the Widow.
Persistence that moves even the unjust
The judge "neither feared God nor cared about people," concerned only for his own convenience. The widow, with no earthly leverage, repeatedly pleaded for justice. Wearied, the judge relented: "Because she keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice." Jesus argues, if a corrupt judge yields to persistence, how much more will the righteous God vindicate His elect who cry to Him day and night? Pastor Jang urges us to examine whether, when answers seem delayed, we are indeed crying out day and night.
"When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?"
Jesus' sobering question (Lk 18:8) warns that prayer may grow cold as the end draws near. Pastor Jang laments that many believers, overwhelmed by busyness, worldly allurements, or the lack of instant results, abandon the discipline of prayer. Yet the command stands: always pray, do not lose heart. Prayer remains the sole absolute means for problems beyond human remedy.
Tangible fruits of persistent prayer
- Elijah's prayer - After 3 ½ years of drought, Elijah prayed seven times without visible change until a cloud as small as a man's hand heralded a torrential answer. God does not ignore the one who clings relentlessly.
- Recording answers - Keeping a journal of requests and responses fortifies faith and accumulates living evidence of God's reality.
- Mission‑field testimonies - In overseas missions short of funds and manpower, unified, persistent prayer repeatedly led to miraculous provision and new co‑workers.
Conclusion
Persistent prayer and unwavering faith are foundational principles for Christian living. Prayer seeks God's glory while presenting every past, present, and future need. Even when answers appear absent, we must keep knocking with "importunate" resolve. Pastor David Jang exhorts us to treasure this privilege, confident that God will meet every need and guide us along the best path in every circumstance.
www.davidjang.org
