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
“One of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray.’” (Luke 11:1) This request is a treasured gift. How often do I struggle to find words in prayer? More than I care to admit. Here Jesus speaks words to pray. Not only that, we can pray the exact words that Jesus and our ancestors have prayed for thousands of years. It brings connection to those before us.
My prayer life often moves through rhythms. Sometimes I struggle to overcome silence and find words to even pray. Other times I fail to stay present in the conversation. Jesus addresses these worries and inadequacies about prayer. He gives us the very words to use! I need this reminder that a prayer life isn’t about having the perfect words. God desires relationship, not performance. In those moments when we feel depleted or distracted, there are words waiting for us. As is our God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of prayer, in giving us words to speak. As distraction or silence pull us away from prayer, help us to trust that you invite relationship, not perfection. Amen.
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