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Luke 11:1-10 (Common English Bible)
Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, uphold the holiness of your name.
Bring in your kingdom. 3 Give us the bread we need for today.
4 Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who has wronged us.
And don’t lead us into temptation.’”
5 He also said to them, “Imagine that one of you has a friend and you go to that friend in the middle of the night. Imagine saying, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has arrived and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 Imagine further that he answers from within the house, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up to give you anything.’ 8 I assure you, even if he wouldn’t get up and help because of his friendship, he will get up and give his friend whatever he needs because of his friend’s brashness. 9 And I tell you: Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 Everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. To everyone who knocks, the door is opened.
Summary:
Our worship theme in July is “Can I Live?” We are exploring how God guides us to live in the face of distractions and obstacles before us. We will encounter interruptions, but Jesus helps us stay the course of life.
In this scripture, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray and how often we need to pray. He instructs them that their prayer requests must be persistent. Even when it seems like God isn’t listening, God hears and God cares. Sometimes, our prayers are simple exclamations of frustration “Can I Live?” but don’t lose faith! As Jesus says, “Whoever seeks will find!”
Reflection Questions:
- How is your prayer life right now? How often do you pray?
- Why does it sometimes seem so hard to get God’s attention?
- What difference can it make to be persistent in prayer?