For Results or Relationship? // Luke 11:1

Our verse for today from Luke 11:1 recaps the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray like John the Baptist taught his disciples. There is a little nugget in the first part of this verse where we read that Jesus Himself had been away praying. I have this suspicion that the disciples saw unbelievable results from the prayers of Jesus and John, and they wanted to be able tap into it, too. What follows in Luke 11 is more teaching on prayer. What you’ll note is Jesus doesn’t focus on results, but relationship! That is the essence of the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus did not intend to give us a prayer to simply pray by memory, but a model for praying that focuses on God’s name (God’s names throughout the Scriptures reveals God’s nature); God’s Kingdom (everything seen and unseen alike); and God’s Will (living for God in all ways and all days). Jesus’ focus for teaching on prayer was to encourage the disciples to seek a relationship with God as opposed to certain results for which they might be inclined to think they were responsible. I think this is something that’s good for all of us to consider. How frequently are we looking for results when we pray as opposed to developing our relationship with the Lord? All too often, I suspect. So, in closing, I want to point back to Jesus’ teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). That’s the point, isn’t it? It’s not as much about seeking results, but relationship…a relationship with the One who works wonders!