Luke 11:1-13

§ 87. THE DISCIPLES TAUGHT HOW TO PRAY, Luke 11:1-13 .

1. Came pass… in a certain place Probably a few days after the last narrative, and within the vicinity, east of Jerusalem. See Harmony, p. 101.

He was praying Praying, perhaps, such a powerful prayer as to arouse the feeling that they knew not how to pray, and needed to be taught.

Teach us to pray Teach us the body of blessings we may hope to receive, and therefore what object is right, and not presumptuous to ask; teach us, even by an outline pattern if thou wilt, a skeleton prayer, of which all other prayers are but the amplification.

John also taught his disciples Each new dispensation may not only have its new unfolding of truths; but its new revelations may open new modes of access, and new topics of prayer, and motives and tempers of worship. A different prayer was offered in the Mosaic ritual from the patriarchal form. John opened up a new scope of prayer; and this new dispensation requires of Jesus to set the range of prayer in accordance with the new range of truth, and the new position of men with God.