This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Luke 11:1-4, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once, Jesus was praying in a special place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said, “Jesus, can you teach us how to pray like John taught his disciples?”
So Jesus said, “Sure, when you pray, you can say: ‘Father, your name is holy. Let your kingdom come. Give us our food for today. Forgive us when we do wrong, for we forgive people who do wrong to us. And don’t let us be tempted.'”
Then Jesus said, “Let me tell you a story. If you went to a friend’s house at midnight and asked for some bread because someone else came to visit you, do you think your friend would give you some? Even if he didn’t want to get up, he would still give you some because you asked.
And I’m telling you, if you ask for something, you will get it. If you look for something, you will find it. And if you knock on a door, it will be opened for you. Everyone who asks for something will get it, and everyone who looks for something will find it.
And if you’re a dad and your son asks for a fish, you wouldn’t give him a snake instead, would you? Or if he asks for an egg, you wouldn’t give him a scorpion, right? You guys are pretty good dads, but God is the best Dad ever.
If even though you’re not perfect, you still know how to give good presents to your children, how much more will God, our heavenly Father, give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Biblical Lessons
- Jesus taught us how to pray, which means we can talk to God anytime we want.
- God loves us and wants to give us good things, especially His Holy Spirit.
- If we ask for something, we will get it. If we look for something, we will find it. If we knock on a door, it will be opened for us.
- We should forgive people who do wrong to us, just like God forgives us when we do wrong.
Related Stories
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Must-Read Christian Books
The Cross of Christ
A profound exploration of the meaning and power of the cross at the center of Christian faith and life.
View on Amazon
Systematic Theology
A comprehensive, evangelical overview of Christian doctrine with Scripture at every point.
View on Amazon
Finally Alive
A biblical exploration of the new birth and why regeneration is at the heart of the Christian life.
View on Amazon
The Trellis and the Vine
A vision for church ministry centered on disciple-making rather than mere structures and programs.
View on Amazon
Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
Biblical counseling and discipleship that helps believers speak God's truth into one another's lives.
View on Amazon
The Attributes of God
Devotional meditations on God's character that stir reverence and worship.
View on Amazon
The Sovereignty of God
A strong, Scripture-based defense of God's absolute rule over all things.
View on Amazon
Spurgeon on the Christian Life
A portrait of Charles Spurgeon's Christ-centered theology and joyful piety.
View on Amazon
The Heidelberg Catechism
A beloved Reformation catechism that teaches comfort in Christ through a Q&A format.
View on Amazon
Preaching and Preachers
Classic lectures on the nature and power of biblical preaching.
View on Amazon
Biblical Preaching
Introduces the "big idea" approach to expository sermons, rooted in the biblical text.
View on Amazon
Reformed Dogmatics (Single Volume Abridgement)
A rich, Reformed systematic theology that is deeply biblical and Christ-centered.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
View on Amazon
The Whole Christ
Deals with legalism, antinomianism, and the grace of God in union with Christ.
View on Amazon
Christian Mission in the Modern World
Clarifies key biblical concepts like evangelism, mission, and social action.
View on Amazon
The Hiding Place
The story of Corrie ten Boom's faith and forgiveness in the midst of Nazi persecution.
View on Amazon
Idols of the Heart
Helps believers identify and repent of heart-idols through the lens of Scripture.
View on Amazon