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."
— Luke 11:5-8 NLT
Key Thought
One of the ways the Rabbi's often reasoned with people in Jesus' day was by comparing a lesser thing with a greater one. In this example, Jesus uses this same practice. He uses a principle of human perseverance with a neighbor and emphasizes that if this is true among human neighbors, how much more will it be true of our perseverance with requesting the action of God? If someone keeps asking, the person may grant the request just to avoid the embarrassment of not helping. If that is true of sinful people, how much more will we receive gracious things from our heavenly Father who longs to give good gifts to his children!
Today's Prayer
Thank you, LORD God Almighty, for your generous grace that comes from your heart of love. In those times when prayer is hard and my frustrations mount, please help me persevere in prayer—especially when nothing seems to be happening, prayer doesn't seem very exciting, and I am discouraged. Give me the courage and conviction to keep praying. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
- Luke 18:1-8
- Colossians 4:2
- Hebrews 5:7
About This Devotional
What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.
What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.
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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