Today’s scripture: Luke 11:5-13 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Keith Phillips):
A colleague knew how much I love to pray, so when the business of a church meeting was finished before the scheduled time, he announced, “We have nothing else to do for the next twenty minutes, so I’m going to ask Keith to pray.”
After Jesus taught his disciples to pray together, he told them a parable about a person who shamelessly kept requesting the help of his neighbor who was already in bed for the night. The conclusion is: “because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.”
In the context of Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer, what would happen if we prayed together persistently that God’s Kingdom come, that we submit to God’s reign here and now? What would happen if we prayed together persistently that there be enough food for all of us? What would happen if we prayed together persistently that we forgive as we’ve been forgiven, so that all will know forgiveness? What would happen if we prayed together persistently that we not fall into temptation, not one of us?
Persistence, praying always, praying without ceasing is what the “ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you” section is about, too. The verb tenses indicate that we are to keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking; and when we do, we will have what we need, just as good parents provide their children with what they need.
I love how Luke differs from Matthew at this point. Matthew has these teachings about prayer scattered throughout Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, and he has Jesus say, “How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask?” Luke reports Jesus as saying, “How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask?” What better gift can be given than the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within us and empowering us?
Thought for the day: Lord God, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer, talking to you is such a privilege! Thank you for listening and responding with the very best gift of all, the gift of yourself! Let’s keep this conversation going, for all eternity.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.