How to Pray With Confidence & Get Results | Pastor Brenda Kunneman

Devotional

Day 1: Developing Skill and Confidence in Your Prayer Life

Prayer is more than just a casual conversation; it is a spiritual skill that you can develop over time. Just as the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, you are invited to grow in proficiency and confidence. You do not have to rely solely on others to reach God, for He desires you to become skillful in making your own requests known. As you advance in your prayer life, you will find a deeper sense of effectiveness in your communication with the Father. This growth allows you to move beyond repetitive cycles and see real progress in your spiritual journey. [01:55]

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." (Luke 11:1 ESV)

Reflection: When you think about your current prayer life, what is one specific area where you feel like you are "shaking and baking" rather than praying with skillful confidence?

Day 2: Honoring the Father and Advancing His Kingdom

Effective prayer begins by addressing the Father and hallowing His holy name through sincere worship. When you take a moment to speak of His attributes—His faithfulness, kindness, and grace—you align your heart with His greatness. Beyond your personal needs, you are called to pray for the success of the Gospel and the advancement of His Kingdom in the earth. This includes lifting up your church, your community, and even the leaders of your nation. By praying "Thy Kingdom come," you participate in the spiritual work of seeing God’s light push back the darkness. [11:01]

And he said to them, "When you pray, say: 'Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.'" (Luke 11:2 ESV)

Reflection: In a world that often discredits or ignores God, what is one specific attribute of His character you can "hallow" or praise Him for today?

Day 3: Aligning Your Will with the Father’s Plan

Praying for God’s will to be done is an act of submission that should be part of your regular walk with Him. It is easy to launch out on your own plans and then ask God to bless them later, but true peace comes from involving Him at the very beginning. Whether you are making a major life decision or simply navigating your daily schedule, seeking His direction prevents unnecessary messes. You can come boldly to the throne of grace, knowing that His promises are a sure foundation for your life. Trust that as you align your desires with His Word, He is faithful to provide exactly what you need. [19:54]

Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:15 ESV)

Reflection: Is there a decision or a "contract" in your life right now that you have already started without first asking for God's direction?

Day 4: Walking in Forgiveness and Spiritual Authority

Maintaining a clean heart through regular repentance and forgiveness is essential for a powerful prayer life. Holding onto offenses only serves to torture your own soul and can hinder the flow of God’s grace in your life. When you release others from their debts, you find that you are also released from the weight of bitterness. Furthermore, you have been given the authority to bind the works of the enemy and command sickness to leave your home. By standing in the name of Jesus, you can break the power of every lying spirit that tries to hang around your life. [36:45]

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 ESV)

Reflection: Think of a person who has offended you recently; what would it look like to "remit" or release that offense today so it no longer has a hold on your peace?

Day 5: The Power of Bold and Tenacious Persistence

Jesus encourages you to approach God with a sense of "importunity," which is an unashamed persistence that refuses to take no for an answer. Like the friend knocking at midnight or the widow seeking justice, your prayers should be marked by a bold expectation of results. If you do not see an immediate breakthrough, do not be discouraged or feel that you lack faith. Instead, continue to ask, seek, and knock with the tenacity of a child who knows their parent loves to give good gifts. God is looking for those who will stay after it until the windows of heaven are opened and the blessing is poured out. [01:02:33]

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9 ESV)

Reflection: What is one prayer request on your list that you have been tempted to stop "knocking" for, and how can you renew your persistence today?

Sermon Summary

Jesus’ instruction in Luke 11 is reframed as a practical, principled school in prayer rather than a ritual to be mindlessly repeated. Prayer is portrayed as a learnable skill — one that matures from basic communication with God into confident, results-oriented petitioning. The Lord’s Prayer is presented not as a recitation but as a template: address the Father (appeal to relationship and authority), hallow God’s name (intentional worship), pray for the kingdom’s advance (missional intercession), yield to God’s will (submission and discernment), request daily provision (bold petition), pursue repentance and mutual forgiveness (heart maintenance), and seek deliverance from temptation and evil (spiritual warfare and protection). Practical emphases include praying in Jesus’ name as invoking Christ’s authority, allowing varied expressions of prayer according to Spirit-led seasons, and cultivating a tenacious posture — persistent, unashamed asking that expects a response.

The teaching underscores a theology of assurance: God’s written promises are reliable and should shape confident petitions; asking in line with Scripture aligns the believer with God’s revealed will. There is pastoral urgency about praying for the public square — the church, government, schools — as part of “thy kingdom come,” and a call to refuse passive disengagement from civic and cultural realms. Repentance and forgiveness are framed as ongoing spiritual housekeeping that preserves communion with God and removes barriers to answered prayer. Finally, spiritual authority and warfare are normal elements of prayer life: believers are invited to bind demonic influences and enforce deliverance in Jesus’ name, while practicing persistence (ask, seek, knock) until the door opens. The overall thrust is a confident, disciplined, and adaptive prayer life that moves from timid requests to strategic partnership with God’s purposes on earth.

Key Takeaways

1. Develop skillful, expectant prayer Prayer is a craft formed by steady practice, Scripture-shaped expectations, and growing confidence. Becoming “proficient” reframes prayer from occasional requests into a spiritual discipline that yields measurable fruit — healing, provision, and guidance — because it follows God’s revealed promises and methods rather than impulse or skepticism. This maturity produces independence in prayer (not always relying on others) and a clarity about when to press, when to wait, and when to align with God’s timing. [01:08]
2. Pray to the Father in Jesus' name Addressing the Father acknowledges the relational and judicial posture of prayer; invoking Jesus’ name brings Christ’s authority and purchase into the petition. Theologically, asking “in Jesus’ name” is not mere formulaic language but entering the Father’s throne by the Son’s warrant, aligning requests with Christ’s will and lordship. This shapes boldness and removes uncertainty about access — petitions are presented under covenantal authority. [07:29]
3. Pray for God's kingdom to come Praying “thy kingdom come” is missional, not merely personal: it petitions the advance of gospel influence in churches, cities, and governments. Such intercession seeks systemic fruit — open doors for the Word, conversions, and cultural shifts — and refuses a privatized spirituality that ignores public consequences. Kingdom praying mobilizes believers to pair spiritual requests with civic engagement and prophetic persistence. [11:01]
4. Practice radical, active forgiveness Extending forgiveness is a spiritual work that precedes and conditions divine pardon; it is not primarily therapeutic but covenantal accountability. Releasing others removes spiritual impediments, breaks cycles of resentment, and prepares the heart to receive God’s mercy. Forgiveness can be procedural — spoken, purposed, and repeated — even when the feeling hasn’t caught up, and doing so is indispensable to worthily approaching God. [34:32]
5. Practice tenacious, persistent asking Importunity (unashamed persistence) is a biblical posture: persistent knocking and seeking reflect faith that expects an answer. Repetition in prayer is not proof of doubt but evidence of resolve; it trains the soul, pressures heaven, and often distinguishes those who receive from those who stop short. The invitation is to ask with assurance, seek for guidance, and keep knocking until the door opens. [50:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:13] - Planning the evening’s topics
[00:35] - Luke 11: Introduction to prayer teaching
[01:08] - Prayer as a learned skill
[05:47] - The Lord’s Prayer: a guide, not a ritual
[07:29] - Addressing the Father; praying in Jesus’ name
[09:08] - Worship: “Hallowed be thy name”
[11:01] - Pray “Thy kingdom come” (mission & nation)
[18:08] - “Thy will be done”: submission and decisions
[22:54] - “Give us this day our daily bread” (confident petition)
[29:47] - Repentance and ongoing heart examination
[34:32] - Forgive everyone: release to receive
[41:57] - Lead us not into temptation (guidance)
[43:29] - Deliver us from evil (authority/warfare)
[45:50] - Importunity: the midnight friend illustration
[50:23] - Ask, and it shall be given (expectation)
[54:23] - Seek and you will find (discernment)
[59:20] - Knock: persistence and repeated warfare
[1:02:15] - Final challenge: tenacious faith

Bible Study Guide

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon summary:

Bible Reading

Luke 11:1-13 (ESV)
> 1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
> 2 And 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 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
> And lead us not into temptation.’”
>
> 5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’
> 6 and though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impenitence he will rise and give him whatever he needs?
> 7 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
> 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
> 9 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent?
> 10 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
> 11 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
> 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
> 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:16 (ESV)
> 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is at work.

Observation questions

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, implying that prayer is something that can be learned and improved upon. What does the sermon suggest is the goal of becoming "proficient" or "skillful" in prayer? [01:08]
Jesus’ instruction on prayer in Luke 11 is presented not as a ritual to be repeated, but as a guide. What analogy is used to explain how the different parts of the Lord's Prayer should be viewed? [06:24]
The sermon emphasizes praying to the Father in Jesus' name. What does it mean to pray "in Jesus' name" beyond just saying the words? [08:28]
The teaching on "Thy kingdom come" extends beyond personal spiritual needs. What broader implications does this prayer have according to the sermon? [11:01]
The sermon highlights the importance of practicing forgiveness. What is the connection made between forgiving others and receiving God's forgiveness? [34:32]
The parable of the persistent friend illustrates the importance of tenacity in prayer. What does the sermon say about the attitude or posture of persistent asking? [46:54]

Interpretation questions

The sermon suggests that prayer is a learnable skill that should mature from basic communication to confident, results-oriented petitioning. How does the disciples' request to Jesus in Luke 11:1 indicate that they were seeking this kind of mature prayer life?
The sermon frames the Lord's Prayer as a template with various components. How does understanding each part as a "type of prayer" or "thing to include" rather than a strict recitation change one's approach to prayer? [05:47]
The sermon connects praying "in Jesus' name" to invoking Christ's authority and entering the Father's throne by the Son's warrant. How does this theological understanding influence the boldness and certainty with which a believer might approach God? [07:29]
The sermon discusses praying for "Thy kingdom come" as a missional act that seeks systemic fruit. How does this interpretation challenge a purely privatized view of faith and prayer? [11:01]
The sermon describes forgiveness as a "spiritual work" that is "covenantal accountability" and a prerequisite for divine pardon. How does this understanding of forgiveness differ from a purely emotional or therapeutic approach? [34:32]
The sermon uses the parable of the midnight friend to illustrate "importunity" or "unashamed persistence." What does this parable suggest about God's willingness to respond to persistent prayer, even when initial attempts might seem to be met with silence? [45:50]

Application questions

The sermon encourages developing a "skillful, expectant prayer life" that moves beyond timid requests to strategic partnership with God. What is one specific area of your prayer life where you feel you could grow in skill or expectation this week? [01:08]
We are encouraged to address the Father and pray in Jesus' name, invoking Christ's authority. When you pray, do you consciously acknowledge your relationship with the Father and the authority you have through Jesus? How might you intentionally practice this more? [07:29]
Praying "Thy kingdom come" involves praying for the advance of the gospel in the public square, including government and culture. What is one specific way you can engage in praying for God's kingdom to advance in your community or nation this week? [11:01]
The sermon emphasizes that practicing radical, active forgiveness is essential for maintaining communion with God and removing barriers to answered prayer. Is there anyone you need to intentionally extend forgiveness to this week, even if the feelings aren't fully there yet? [34:32]
The teaching on "ask, seek, knock" highlights the importance of tenacious, persistent asking. What is a prayer request you have been praying for that requires renewed persistence, and how can you commit to continuing to "knock" until the door opens? [50:23]
The sermon suggests that prayer is not just about personal needs but also about seeking God's will and direction. What is a decision you are facing where you need to actively "seek" God's guidance, and how will you go about it? [54:23]
The sermon calls for a disciplined and adaptive prayer life that moves from timid requests to strategic partnership. What is one practical step you can take this week to cultivate a more tenacious and expectant posture in your prayer life? [01:02:15]

Sermon Clips

79s

#AskWithExpectation

“and he said, I now then knowing that all of that example of that guy that was gonna punch the man's door down to get the bread. I want you to have that in your mind and now I say to you, come on, he's still teaching on prayer. I say to you ask. Okay. That word means to make a demand, a request with the expectation to get a result. Okay. When my kids would come home from school when they were growing up, they'd say, mom, can I have a snack? Okay. If I would have said no, which I never did. If I would have said no, you know, or five minutes before dinner, can I have a snack? They never not one time in all the years I remember ever came with the expect expectation to be turned down. Come on kids have more sense with their parents than we have with God. Okay? Ask. He said ask. This is the word. Ask. It means this, in the Strong's it says to make a request in such a way like a child would to a parent in which they would expect a supply to be met.”

32s

#UnwaveringPersistence

“She she she wiggled her way in there. She was determined to stay in in that place. And she said, well, on even I mean, even the dogs get some crumbs. Even one crumb from God could could change my situation. Jesus said, I've not seen anybody with faith like that in all of Israel. Woman, your child is healed because you wouldn't stop. You had faith. You were gonna get that answer. Come on. No matter what.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Hank and Brenda Kunneman This sermon · AI assistant

What does it mean to pray in Jesus name?

How should Christians pray for government and nations?

What is the role of persistence in prayer?

How to Pray With Confidence & Get Results | Pastor Brenda Kunneman | Midweek Recharge