Week of July 29, 2007, Luke 11:1-13

One of the Scriptures for Sunday is from Luke, chapter 11, the first thirteen verses. This is the section where the disciples ask Jesus to teach them about prayer. These are Jesus' words:
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2 He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.'"
5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7 "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.'
8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?
13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Heavenly Father, I thank You that we can come to You to praise You, to thank You, to exalt Your name. May Your kingdom be a part of each of our lives as we live in the light and life of Jesus. We ask, Lord, that You give us what we need each day for our bodies, our minds, our hearts. Forgive us our sins, Lord, as we forgive those who have wronged us. And lead us, Lord. Lead us to keep us from temptation. As we pray for the needs that we have, Lord, help us to be persistent, knowing that You respond to our calls for help. And help us, Jesus, to ask, and keep on asking, to seek and keep on seeking, and to knock and to keep on knocking.

Most importantly, Heavenly Father, we seek a deeper relationship with You. We seek to know You. And help us, Lord, to see beyond the gifts that You give us, so as to see You, our God Creator, Source of all things, our Redeemer and Savior. Holy Spirit, we seek You in our lives – counseling, guiding, firing us in a refiner’s fire, so to become more passionate – fully devoted followers of Jesus.

Thanks for Your presence, Jesus, Your gifts of love, peace and joy. Amen.

May the love of the Lord Jesus draw us to Himself;
May the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen us in His service;
May the joy of the Lord Jesus fill our souls;
May the fire of the Holy Spirit bring comfort, guidance and fervency;
And may the blessing of the almighty and most merciful God - Creator, Word and eternal Holy Spirit - be upon us and remain with us always.
In the name of the Father and of the Son of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

You may leave a message or prayer request by e-mailing me at: peacewm@tds.net.
May God our Guide and Counselor, Teacher and Mentor, be with us now and always.