The Disciples Said, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray.”

This meditation is based on a passage for May 30, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Luke 11:1-13

Reflection and Question: We know the prayer that Jesus teaches here as the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew places Jesus’ teaching of the Lord’s Prayer in the midst of the Sermon on the Mount. In Luke, one of the disciples asks Jesus to teach them to pray and a shorter version of the Lord’s Prayer is followed by two memorable images that encourage us to be persistent and hopeful in our prayers. Like the neighbor who finally gives the bread asked for, God will answer our constant prayer. If we fulfill the requests of those we love, how much more will God give to us what we ask? What do you learn about prayer from these words of Jesus?

Prayer: Hear our prayer, dear God. “Father, Reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.” Amen.
(from Luke 11:2-4 in Eugene Peterson, The Message, p. 1879)