God’s Word of Prayer
Introduction
Luke 11:1-13: In response to a request from one of the disciples, Jesus teaches his followers to pray. He reveals the fatherhood of God to his disciples and the limitless capacity of God’s love, faithfulness, generosity, compassion, and care.
Scripture Reading
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
(Matthew 6.9-13; 7.7-11)
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this:
‘Father:
May your holy name be honored;
may your Kingdom come.
3Give us day by day the food we need.
4Forgive us our sins,
for we forgive everyone who does us wrong.
And do not bring us to hard testing.’”
5And Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread. 6A friend of mine who is on a trip has just come to my house, and I don’t have any food for him!’ 7And suppose your friend should answer from inside, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking. 9And so I say to you: Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10For those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks. 11Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish? 12Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 11:9b
[Jesus said:] “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
Reflect
You may wish to compare Luke’s version of the prayer (verses 2-4) that Jesus taught with the version in Matthew’s Gospel (6:9-13). What similarities can you find? What differences can you identify? What does today’s reading teach you about prayer? What does it teach you about God? Is there something you need to ask of God today?
Pray
Lord God, may your holy name be honored, and may your Kingdom come. You only desire what is good for us, and today I come seeking and knocking on your heavenly door, asking for _________________________. I thank and praise you for your goodness, steadfast love, and mercy. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Luke 18:1-14: Jesus teaches about prayer by means of two parables.