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."
2  He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3  Give us each day our daily bread.
4  Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation."
5  Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6  because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7  "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
8  I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9  "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11  "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
12  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

1.  How often does Jesus pray?

Jesus prayed at every major turning point in his life; often alone but also with other people present.  The most sincere prayers are often when we're alone.

2.  Who's idea was this prayer lesson?

One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

3.  Describe our relationship with God as taught by this prayer.

He began with intimate direct access to God.  Hallowed means  set apart as special.  Acknowledge that God's Kingdom is coming.  Take one day at a time.  Ask for the same kind of treatment that we show others.  Ask that God lead us out of trouble.

4.  Why the father image?  Why not a king instead?  Our King in heaven?

Image of a father is of one who cares.  A king is usually only concerned with his own interests and with what you can do for him.

5.  What does God do all day?  Is He there for us when we need Him?  What do people believe about that?  Will God help me do something that I want to do?

6.  Should I wait to see what God wants me to do or should I be thinking up things to do on my own?  If I don't think up things to do, will God give me something to do anyway?  Are there some things that I might want to do that involve equal but different choices, all of which are the kind of things that God would help me accomplish?

7.  If a disinterested man can be convinced to help, think of how much easier will it is to get help from God who does care about us.

8.  Are people inclined to ask for things?  God gives what is good for people not what is bad.  People receive the Holy Spirit when they're saved.