What Jesus Did! 'Prayer Is Important!' — Luke 11:5-6

Monday, July 17, 2023

Then, teaching [the disciples] more about prayer, [Jesus] used this story: "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.'"
— Luke 11:5-6 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus didn't teach about prayer just once, but many times. He didn't pray just once, but he 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 on it, and often made it the subject of his teaching. Here, to emphasize the importance of persistence, [1] he used an illustration from the real world in which they lived. This illustration not only made his teaching memorable but also anchored the importance and meaning of prayer in common everyday living.

[1] Luke 11:5-9.

Today's Prayer

Father, thank you for Jesus' repeated emphasis on the importance of prayer, both in his teaching and with his example. Teach me to value prayer the way your Son did. Give me daily reminders of prayer's importance to you and to me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17
  • James 5:16-18
  • Ephesians 6:18

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 11:5-6 NLT — "Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.'"

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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