Luke 11:1-13 (NRSV)
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Chapter 11He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." Verse 2He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Verse 3Give us each day our daily bread. Verse 4And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial." Verse 5And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; Verse 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' Verse 7And he answers from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' Verse 8I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs. Verse 9"So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. Verse 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Verse 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Verse 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? Verse 13If 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!"
Devotion
Prayer is ultimately about the One we are talking with. Both the beginning and end of our reading today center on the God who exists in loving relationship with us. Like any loving and attentive parent, our heavenly Parent meets our every request with what is good for the child.
When we come knocking in our darkest hours — whether we're stuck in a surprising situation, afraid for our reputation or our future, or just plain caught in our failings — our loving Parent's response is to give what is good: the Holy Spirit. We receive the most intimate caregiver, who calls and enlightens us with the gospel, who forms us to be in line with God's character, and who keeps us steady in faith. Our knocking need is never ignored.
Prayer
Loving Parent, I don't know why you delay sometimes in answering my prayer or why I don't always get the good and important things I ask for. Help me trust in your love for me and for others, and guide me with your Holy Spirit. Amen.