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
Through one of the most well-known prayers in all the world, we get a glimpse at Jesus’ own prayer life. After Jesus had been praying, his disciples did what disciples are prone to do – they asked to learn from their master. Recognizing that Jesus drew strength and direction from prayer, they yearned to know just how to pray so perhaps they too could be fortified in this way.
So Jesus shared with them his adoration for and his close relationship with God, his desire for God’s reign on earth, his prayer that all may be fed and nurtured, his yearning for a return to right relationships and a request to be spared from trials.
Through these petitions we join the world-wide community of faith calling out to our God, confident that this prayer of our Savior will be heard by a benevolent God.
Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial. Amen.