Teach Us to Pray: The Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:1-5

1. Introduction & Overview

This study guide explores Jesus' teaching on prayer in Luke 11:1-5, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (in its Lukan version). The sermon emphasizes that Jesus wasn't merely providing a prayer to memorize, but rather a framework that reveals what God wants us to pray for. Each line contains profound theological meaning that shapes our understanding of prayer and our relationship with God.

Study Objectives:

• Understand the historical and literary context of the Lord's Prayer in Luke's Gospel
• Explore the theological significance of each petition in the prayer
• Compare Luke's version with Matthew's version (Matthew 6:9-13)
• Discover how the Lord's Prayer serves as a pattern for all Christian prayer
• Apply the principles of the Lord's Prayer to deepen your own prayer life

Estimated Study Time: 2-3 hours

2. Exegetical Analysis

Structure and Literary Context

Luke places the Lord's Prayer within his travel narrative (9:51-19:44), where Jesus is journeying toward Jerusalem. Unlike Matthew, who positions it within the Sermon on the Mount, Luke introduces it as a response to a disciple's specific request: "Lord, teach us to pray." This contextual difference is significant—in Luke, the prayer emerges from observing Jesus' own prayer life.

Genre

This passage combines instruction (didactic) and liturgical elements. Jesus provides both a model prayer and implicit teaching about the nature of prayer.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis

Luke 11:1 - "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'"

• Luke uniquely emphasizes Jesus' prayer life (3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28)
• The disciples' request reveals that John the Baptist had taught his followers specific prayers, a common practice among Jewish rabbis
• The request shows the disciples recognized something distinctive about Jesus' prayer life

Luke 11:2a - "He said to them, 'When you pray, say:'"

• Jesus doesn't say "pray this prayer" but "pray like this," suggesting a pattern rather than mere recitation
• The instruction is given to the plural "you," indicating this is for communal use

Luke 11:2b - "'Father, hallowed be your name,'"

• The address is simply "Father" (Πάτερ, Pater) in Luke, compared to "Our Father in heaven" in Matthew
• This intimate form of address was revolutionary in Jewish prayer tradition
• "Hallowed" expresses reverence for God's name, acknowledging His holiness

Luke 11:2c - "'your kingdom come.'"

• Luke's version omits "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (found in Matthew)
• The kingdom petition expresses longing for God's rule and reign to be fully manifested

Luke 11:3 - "'Give us each day our daily bread.'"

• The petition focuses on daily provision, emphasizing dependence rather than abundance
• "Daily" (ἐπιούσιον, epiousion) is a rare word whose exact meaning is debated

Luke 11:4a - "'Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.'"

• Luke uses "sins" (ἁμαρτίας, hamartias) while Matthew uses "debts"
• The reciprocal nature of forgiveness is emphasized

Luke 11:4b - "'And lead us not into temptation.'"

• Luke's version ends here, omitting "but deliver us from the evil one" found in Matthew
• This petition acknowledges human vulnerability and dependence on divine guidance

Author's Intent

Luke presents the Lord's Prayer as part of his portrayal of Jesus as the perfect man of prayer who teaches his followers to pray. The prayer's brevity in Luke (compared to Matthew) fits with Luke's emphasis on simplicity and accessibility of Jesus' teaching to all people.

3. Historical & Cultural Context

Prayer in First-Century Judaism

Prayer was central to Jewish life, with formal prayers recited three times daily. The Eighteen Benedictions (Amidah) was a standard Jewish prayer that shared some similarities with the Lord's Prayer. Jewish prayers typically addressed God as "Our God" or "God of our fathers," making Jesus' simple address of "Father" distinctively intimate.

Teacher-Disciple Relationship

Religious teachers (rabbis) commonly taught their disciples specific prayers. The disciples' request for Jesus to teach them to pray was consistent with this expectation. However, Jesus' response was revolutionary in its simplicity and directness compared to the elaborate prayers common in that era.

The Kingdom of God

The concept of God's kingdom was central to Jewish messianic expectations. Many Jews anticipated a political overthrow of Roman rule, but Jesus consistently redefined the kingdom in spiritual terms. The prayer for God's kingdom to come would have resonated with first-century Jewish hopes while transforming their understanding.

Daily Bread

In an agricultural society with frequent food shortages, the request for daily bread reflected real material needs. The mention of "daily" bread also evoked memories of God's provision of manna in the wilderness, which came one day at a time (Exodus 16).

4. Word Studies

"Father" (Πάτερ, Pater): The Aramaic equivalent (Abba) that Jesus likely used was an intimate family term. While not exactly "daddy" as sometimes claimed, it was nonetheless a familiar term that children used with their fathers. This represented a radical departure from typical Jewish prayers, which used more formal titles for God. Jesus' use of this term invited disciples into the same intimate relationship with God that he enjoyed.

"Hallowed" (ἁγιασθήτω, hagiasthētō): This imperative passive verb form means "let it be sanctified" or "let it be treated as holy." The word derives from the Greek root meaning "to set apart." It doesn't request that God's name become holy (it already is), but rather that it be recognized and treated as holy by all people. This echoes the third commandment's concern for honoring God's name.

"Kingdom" (βασιλεία, basileia): This term refers not primarily to a territory but to the rule, reign, or sovereignty of a king. In Jesus' teaching, God's kingdom is both present (Luke 17:21) and future (Luke 21:31). The prayer for God's kingdom to come is a request for God's rule to be fully established and recognized, bringing the restoration of all things.

"Daily" (ἐπιούσιον, epiousion): This rare Greek word appears only in the Lord's Prayer in the entire Greek Bible and literature of the period. Several interpretations exist:

1. "For the coming day" (suggesting provision for immediate needs)
2. "Necessary for existence" (focusing on essential rather than luxury)
3. "Supernatural" or "supersubstantial" (pointing to spiritual nourishment) The term emphasizes dependence on God's provision for immediate needs rather than stockpiling for the future.

"Temptation" (πειρασμόν, peirasmon): This term can mean either "testing" or "temptation." God tests but does not tempt (James 1:13), so this petition likely means "do not bring us to the time of testing" or "do not let us succumb to temptation." It acknowledges human frailty and the need for divine protection.

5. Cross-References & Biblical Theology

God as Father

• Isaiah 63:16 - "You, LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name."
• Malachi 2:10 - "Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?"
• Romans 8:15 - "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'"

God's Kingdom

• Daniel 2:44 - "In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed."
• Matthew 12:28 - "But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."
• Revelation 11:15 - "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."

Daily Provision

• Exodus 16:4 - "I will rain down bread from heaven for you."
• Proverbs 30:8-9 - "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread."
• Matthew 6:31-33 - "So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?'...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Forgiveness

• Matthew 18:21-35 - The parable of the unforgiving servant (referenced in the sermon)
• Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
• Colossians 3:13 - "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Protection from Evil

• 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."
• James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

The Lord's Prayer integrates themes from throughout Scripture, showing how Jesus' teaching is the fulfillment of Old Testament revelation while establishing patterns for New Testament theology.

6. Interpretive Considerations

Differences Between Luke's and Matthew's Versions

Luke's version (11:2-4) is shorter than Matthew's (6:9-13), omitting "in heaven," "your will be done on earth as it is in heaven," and "but deliver us from the evil one." The traditional ending "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" appears in some manuscripts of Matthew but not in the earliest ones, and not in Luke.

These differences suggest:

1. Jesus may have taught this prayer on multiple occasions with variations
2. The Gospel writers preserved different versions for different purposes and audiences
3. The core elements remained consistent despite variations

Is the Lord's Prayer Meant to Be Recited Verbatim?

The sermon correctly identifies that Jesus was providing a pattern rather than merely a prayer to memorize. Evidence for this interpretation includes:

• The different versions in Matthew and Luke
• Jesus' warning against "babbling" in prayer (Matthew 6:7)
• The introductory formula "When you pray, say..." suggests a model

However, the early church did use the prayer liturgically, and there is value in reciting it, provided it doesn't become mere rote repetition without understanding.

The Meaning of "Lead Us Not into Temptation"

This petition has caused confusion since God does not tempt people to sin (James 1:13). Interpretive options include:

1. "Do not bring us to the time of testing" (eschatological trial)
2. "Do not let us succumb to temptation"
3. "Do not let us enter into temptation" (as in Gethsemane, Matthew 26:41)

Pope Francis suggested a translation "do not let us fall into temptation," which captures the intent without suggesting God actively leads people into sin.

7. Theological Implications

Theology Proper (Doctrine of God)

The Lord's Prayer reveals God as both transcendent (holy, sovereign) and immanent (personal Father). This balance corrects tendencies to view God as either an impersonal force or an overly casual buddy. The prayer affirms God's sovereignty over history (kingdom coming) and daily life (provision of bread).

Anthropology (Doctrine of Humanity)

The prayer portrays humans as dependent creatures who rely on God for physical provision, moral guidance, and spiritual protection. It acknowledges human sinfulness (needing forgiveness) while affirming human dignity (being children of God).

Soteriology (Doctrine of Salvation)

Forgiveness is central to the prayer, reflecting its importance in Jesus' mission. The reciprocal nature of forgiveness ("as we forgive") doesn't earn God's forgiveness but demonstrates its transformative effect in our lives.

Eschatology (Doctrine of Last Things)

The petition "your kingdom come" has both present and future implications. It recognizes that God's kingdom is already breaking into the world through Jesus but awaits full consummation. Prayer itself becomes an eschatological act—bringing future hopes into present petitions.

Ecclesiology (Doctrine of the Church)

The plural pronouns throughout ("our," "us," "we") emphasize the communal nature of Christian faith. Even when prayed individually, the Lord's Prayer connects the believer to the broader body of Christ.

8. Practical Application

Praying with Authenticity

The Lord's Prayer invites us to approach God with both reverence ("hallowed be your name") and intimacy ("Father"). This balance helps us avoid both distant formality and presumptuous casualness in prayer. Consider how your prayer life might need rebalancing in this regard.

Aligning with God's Priorities

The prayer begins with God's name, kingdom, and will before addressing personal needs. This ordering challenges our often self-centered prayer lives. Practice starting prayer times by focusing on God's character and purposes before presenting requests.

Living with Daily Dependence

The petition for "daily bread" counters our culture's emphasis on self-sufficiency and accumulation. Consider how you might cultivate a lifestyle of daily dependence rather than anxious stockpiling. What would it mean to trust God for "just enough" rather than "more than enough"?

Practicing Forgiveness

The sermon highlights the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) to emphasize the connection between receiving and extending forgiveness. Identify relationships where you need to extend forgiveness and take concrete steps toward reconciliation.

Staying Alert to Temptation

The petition regarding temptation acknowledges our vulnerability. The sermon notes, "We all know what tempts us." Identify your particular areas of vulnerability and develop specific prayer strategies for these areas. Consider accountability relationships that can help you stay vigilant.

Personalizing the Prayer

As the sermon suggests, select the line that most resonates with your current needs and expand it with specific details from your life. This practice transforms the Lord's Prayer from a recitation into a personal conversation with God.

9. Discussion Questions

1. Observation: What differences do you notice between Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer and Matthew's version (Matthew 6:9-13)? Why might these differences exist?

2. Interpretation: What does it mean to pray "hallowed be your name"? Since God's name is already holy, what are we actually asking for in this petition?

3. Theological: How does addressing God as "Father" change our understanding of prayer compared to more formal titles for God? What theological truths does this form of address communicate?

4. Application: The sermon suggests focusing on the line of the Lord's Prayer that most resonates with your current needs. Which line speaks most powerfully to your situation right now, and why?

5. Investigation: Research Jewish prayer practices in the first century. How was Jesus' teaching on prayer both continuous with and revolutionary compared to Jewish traditions?

6. Interpretation: What does "daily bread" represent beyond physical sustenance? How does this petition relate to Jesus' teaching about anxiety in Matthew 6:25-34?

7. Theological: How does the petition "your kingdom come" relate to both present Christian living and future eschatological hopes? What does it mean to live as citizens of God's kingdom now?

8. Application: The Lord's Prayer emphasizes forgiving others as we have been forgiven. Describe a situation where you found it difficult to forgive. How might the principles of this prayer help you move toward forgiveness?

9. Investigation: The Greek word for "daily" (ἐπιούσιον, epiousion) is rare and debated. Research different scholarly interpretations of this term. How do different translations affect the meaning of the petition?

10. Theological: What does the petition "lead us not into temptation" reveal about our human vulnerability and God's role in our moral struggles?

11. Application: How might praying the Lord's Prayer daily as a framework (rather than mere recitation) transform your prayer life? What specific changes would you make to your current prayer practices?

12. Interpretation: The sermon mentions that "Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" is not in Luke's version. Research the textual history of this doxology. Why is it included in some traditions but not others?

10. Recommended Resources

Commentaries

• The Gospel According to Luke (NICNT) by Joel B. Green - A comprehensive scholarly commentary that balances technical details with theological insights. (Advanced)

• Luke for Everyone by N.T. Wright - Accessible yet theologically rich commentary that connects Luke's Gospel to contemporary Christian living. (Intermediate)

• The Message of Luke by Michael Wilcock (Bible Speaks Today series) - Focuses on the theological message and practical application. (Beginner/Intermediate)

Topical Studies

• The Lord and His Prayer by N.T. Wright - A short but profound exploration of the theological dimensions of the Lord's Prayer. (Intermediate)

• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller - Includes substantial reflection on the Lord's Prayer as a model for all Christian prayer. (Intermediate)

• A Praying Life: Connecting With God In A Distracting World by Paul Miller - Practical guidance on developing prayer habits based on biblical patterns. (Beginner/Intermediate)

Online Resources

• The Bible Project: "The Lord's Prayer" - Video and study guide exploring the structure and meaning of the prayer. www.bibleproject.com (Beginner)

• "Praying the Lord's Prayer" by D.A. Carson - Audio lecture available through The Gospel Coalition. www.thegospelcoalition.org (Intermediate)