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
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life
Practical, biblical guidance on disciplines like prayer, Bible intake, worship, and fasting to grow in godliness.
View on Amazon
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
The Holiness of God
Sproul unfolds the blazing holiness of God and why a right fear of the Lord is vital to true worship.
View on Amazon
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God
Shows how God's sovereignty in salvation fuels, rather than hinders, faithful evangelism.
View on Amazon
The Gospel for Real Life
Shows how the finished work of Christ applies to everyday struggles and assurance.
View on Amazon
Living the Cross-Centered Life
A call to keep Christ's cross at the center of our thinking, worship, and daily living.
View on Amazon
Overcoming Sin and Temptation
A classic Puritan work on mortifying sin and living in the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Concise Theology
Short, Scripture-filled summaries of key doctrines, written with clarity and warmth.
View on Amazon
The Mortification of Sin
A Puritan classic urging believers to put sin to death by the power of the Spirit.
View on Amazon
Morning and Evening
Devotional readings for each day that point believers to Christ and His promises.
View on Amazon
The Bondage of the Will
Luther's classic defense of the Bible's teaching on human sin and God's sovereign grace.
View on Amazon
Christ-Centered Preaching
A standard textbook on preaching that shows how to proclaim Christ from all of Scripture.
View on Amazon
The Hospitality Commands
Shows from Scripture how vital hospitality is to Christian obedience and fellowship.
View on Amazon
The Christian Life
A clear, doctrinally rich overview of salvation and Christian living.
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
Family Worship
A short, practical guide to leading your home in daily worship of God.
View on Amazon
Shepherding a Child's Heart
Biblical parenting that aims at a child's heart, not just outward behavior.
View on Amazon