Read: Luke 11:1-13

After he finished praying in a particular place, one of his disciples asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say,
‘Our Father in heaven,
    may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come.
    May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
    for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Bring us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’”

He asked them, “Suppose one of you visits a friend at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a visitor has come to me, and I have nothing to offer him,’ and the friend inside replies, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is shut, and my children are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even if he will not get up because they are friends, his persistence will cause him to rise and give him whatever he needs.

 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, would you give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? If you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Explanation

Jesus teaches His disciples that prayer is based on relationship, dependence, and trust. Starting with reverence for the Father and submission to His will, He provides a model that aligns the heart with God’s purposes. Through the parable of persistence, Jesus emphasises boldness and perseverance, encouraging believers to approach God with confidence.

Prayer is not about persuading a reluctant God, but trusting a generous Father. The promise is clear: those who ask, seek, and knock will receive. At its core, prayer is communion with God, founded on His goodness and upheld by faith in His provision.

A question for today

What is God showing me about my relationship with Him in prayer?

A sentence to take into the day

God hears me and responds with perfect wisdom.

One thing to do today

Set aside intentional time today to pray, bringing your needs before God with trust and persistence.