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
My young daughter has a habit of “losing” her pacifier during the night. Being awakened from a peaceful night’s sleep by her wailing never ceases to aggravate me. Maybe if I ignore it, she will stop. But the wailing continues until I respond. With comforting words and a relocated pacifier she is back to sleep in no time.
Her persistence in reminding me that I am her mother and thus should provide her certain things is similar to our persistent calls to God, reminding God that the people of the world are ever more in need of God’s mercy and care. When we call out to God, we are reassured that God’s love for us is never ceasing for God’s desire to share good things with us will never end. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Gracious God, for the good gifts you continually give to us we are grateful. May we never cease in turning to you for strength each day. Amen.