In Luke’s two-volume story of the words and works of Jesus, he gives prayer its theological place in the divinely directed history of redemption. Thirty-four of the eighty-four occurrences of the most common verb for prayer in the New Testament, proseuchontai, are in Luke’s writing.
PRAYER IN THE GOSPEL OF LUKE
The OPEN and CLOSE of the Gospel of Luke involve prayer:
Luke 1:10 The multitude of people at the hour of incense
Luke 24:53 At the Ascension of Jesus
JESUS PRAYS
Luke 3:21 at baptism of Jesus
Luke 5:16 regular prayer
Luke 6:12 choosing of the twelve
Luke 9:18 before Peter’s confession
Luke 9:28-29 the Transfiguration
Luke 22:32 intercession for Peter to maintain his faith
Luke 22:39-46 prayer at Gethsemane
Luke 23:34, 46 prayer on the cross
JESUS TEACHES ABOUT PRAYER
Luke 10:21-24 prayer after the mission of the seventy
Luke 11:2-4 The Lord’s Prayer
Luke 11:5-13 parable of the midnight friend
Luke 18:1-8 parable of the unjust judge
Luke 21:36 the Watchful prayer
Scripture passages below.
OPENING OF GOSPEL
Luke 1:10
8 Now while he [Zechariah] was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 
JESUS PRAYS
Luke 3:21 at baptism of Jesus
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form, as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son;[c] with thee I am well pleased.”
Luke 5:16 regular prayer
15 But so much the more the report went abroad concerning him; and great multitudes gathered to hear and to be healed of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew to the wilderness and prayed.
Luke 6:12 choosing of the twelve
12 In these days he went out into the hills to pray; and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles;
Luke 9:18 before Peter’s confession
18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Eli′jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.”
Luke 9:28-29 the Transfiguration
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli′jah,
Luke 22:32 intercession for Peter to maintain his faith
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,[d] that he might sift you[e] like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”
Luke 22:39-46 prayer at Gethsemane
39 And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,42 “Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.[f] 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
JESUS TEACHES ABOUT PRAYER
Luke 10:21-24 prayer after the mission of the seventy
21 In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will.[d] 22 All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
23 Then turning to the disciples he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see what you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Luke 11:2-4 The Lord’s Prayer
He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, 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 thy name. Thy kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread;[a] 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.”
Luke 11:5-13 parable of the midnight friend
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; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for[b] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who 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!”
Luke 18:1-8 parable of the unjust judge
And he told them a parable, to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor regarded man; 3 and there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Vindicate me against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will vindicate them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 21:36 the Watchful prayer
34 “But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; 35 for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.”
CLOSING OF GOSPEL
Luke 24:52-53 “in a climax of prayer and praise”
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.[i] 52 And they worshiped him, and[j] returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.
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Revised Standard Version Bible, Ignatius Edition, Copyright 2006,
Division of the Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the United States of America