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Scripture Guide

Luke 11:1-13

Author

Darren Pollock

Keywords (13)

Scripture

Luke 11:1-13

Updated

Jul 1, 2025

Preaching Commentary

Context

Jesus’ lesson on prayer in Luke’s gospel comes not in the context of a longer sermon (as with Matthew’s parallel in the Sermon on the Mount), but rather in response to a request from one of his disciples who had seen him praying. Luke’s account comes early in Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem, and it immediately follows his visit with Mary and Martha (when he praises Mary for spending time with him).

Preaching Angles

Learning to Pray

We are sometimes tempted to speak of prayer as something as innate as speaking with a best friend or inviting God into our thoughts that are already running through our heads.

There is some truth to this, of course,…

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Author

Darren Pollock

Darren Pollock is a dedicated Presbyterian pastor (PCUSA) and an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Church History at Fuller Seminary. A passionate scholar and teacher, Darren is committed to both his academic work and his pastoral calling. He holds a B.A. in Classics from UC Davis, an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Calvin Seminary. His academic journey reflects his deep interest in church history, Reformed theology, and biblical interpretation.

Darren is the author of Early Stuart Polemical Hermeneutics: Andrew Willet’s 1611 Hexapla on Romans (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2017), a scholarly work that investigates early modern Reformed thought. His research focuses on the intersection of historical theology, biblical interpretation, and early Reformed thought. Darren’s contributions have appeared in respected academic journals such as Jonathan Edwards Studies, Anglican & Episcopal History, and Word & World. He has also contributed multiple entries to The Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia (Eerdmans, 2017). Through his work, he strives to explore the complexities of Christian thought in historical contexts and how they inform contemporary faith practices.

Darren’s life is deeply intertwined with both his family and his work. He lives in Temple City, CA, with his wife, Ashley, and their two young children. The family is also accompanied by their step-cat, Fanny. Outside of his academic and pastoral responsibilities, Darren enjoys hobbies that blend intellectual engagement with a deep appreciation for the world around him. He is an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast and Scrabble player, enjoys exploring Zion National Park, and loves savoring a good cup of coffee. Additionally, Darren has a special fondness for passion fruit and is an enthusiastic fan of the Sacramento Kings.

His passion for theology, historical scholarship, and his family continues to shape his life and ministry, guiding his work as both an academic and a pastor.