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
Your kingdom come, Jesus invites us to pray. That's a little different than the grace I say before meals, "Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest." By all means, I mean that little prayer, a desire that every step and moment and meal of my life finds the God we met in Jesus close to me. But for this God who came clear to us in Jesus, that’s not enough. He doesn’t come alone. If his kingdom is to come, it is to be a life full of compassion and justice and righteousness. It will build human community that reflects care for one another as Christ cared for us.
During this season, many of our young people are experiencing powerfully life-changing camping ministries. Why are these trips so influential? Because through them youth experience a taste of a new community—they glimpse a new kingdom.
Prayer
Ever present God, in the midst of summer give us moments that refresh, moments that open our eyes to see new things, moments that connect us in powerful ways to other people and your whole creation. Amen.