Key Thought

Jesus didn't just teach about prayer once, but many times. Jesus didn't pray just once, but consistently went to his Father in prayer. Prayer is not something that we master, but a grace by which God gains mastery over our hearts. So Jesus stressed its importance, demonstrated his dependence upon it, and often made it the subject of his teaching. Here, to emphasize the importance of persistence, he uses an illustration from the real world in which they lived. This not only made his teaching memorable, but anchored the importance and meaning of prayer in real, everyday living.

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

One time Jesus was praying in a place. When Jesus finished praying, one of his followers said to him, "John taught his followers how to pray. Lord, teach us how to pray too." Jesus said to the followers, "When you pray, pray like this: 'Father, we pray that your name will always be kept holy. We pray that your kingdom will come. Give us the food we need for each day. Forgive us the sins we have done, because we forgive every person that has done wrong to us. And don't let us be tempted (tested).'" Then Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you went to your friend's house very late at night and said to him, 'A friend of mine has come into town to visit me. But I have nothing for him to eat. Please give me three loaves of bread.' Your friend inside the house answers, 'Go away! Don't bother me! The door is already locked. My children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you the bread now.' I tell you, maybe friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread. But he will surely get up to give you what you need if you continue to ask. So I tell you, continue to ask, and God will give to you. Continue to search, and you will find. Continue to knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, if a person continues asking, that person will receive. If a person continues looking, that person will find. And if a person continues knocking, the door will open for that person. Does any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for a fish? Would any father give his son a snake? No! You would give him a fish. Or, if your son asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion ? No! {You are like all other people}--you are evil. But you know how to give good things to your children. So surely your heavenly Father knows how to give the Holy Spirit to those people that ask him."

— Luke 11:1-13 (ERV)

Comments on "More than Once":

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