Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

1    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. 

11    “Which father among you would give a snake to your child if the child asked for a fish?  ¹²  If a child asked for an egg, what father would give the child a scorpion?  ¹³  If you 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?” 

Listening to God: You think you have to understand everything before you can experience it.  This misconception robs you of many blessings.  There are some things you will never understand until you experience them.  And there are some things you are not meant to understand this side of heaven.  Instead of always demanding to understand my ways, experiment with trusting me.  The best gift I can ever give you is the gift of my Spirit in your life.  You don’t have to understand it; just ask for the Spirit to come into your life and see what I do.  Give me a tiny crack to operate in, and I will transform you.

Journal or lift up your prayers and reflections to God.

*Our season of prayer guide comes from Joan Gray’s book, Sailboat Church: Helping Your Church Rethink Its Mission and Practice.