Gospel: Lk 11:1–13 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” And Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this: Father, hallowed be your name, may your kingdom come, give us each day the kind of bread we need, and forgive us our sins, for we also forgive all who do us wrong, and do not bring us to the test.” Jesus said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to his house in the middle of the night and says: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine who is traveling has just arrived and I have nothing to offer him.’ Maybe your friend will answer from inside: ‘Don’t bother me now; the door is locked and my children and I are in bed, so I can’t get up and give you anything.’ But I tell you, even though he will not get up and attend to you because you are a friend, yet he will get up because you are a bother to him, and he will give you all you need. And so I say to you, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For the one who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to him who knocks the door will be opened. If your child asks for a fish, will you give a snake instead? And if your child asks for an egg, will you give a scorpion? Even you evil people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more then will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those who ask him!” Reflection: Read: Abraham stands before YHWH and pleads for Sodom and Gomorrah on behalf of the good people there. God promises to spare the towns if there are at least ten good souls. Paul reminds us how God has shown mercy by forgiving all our sins through Christ. Teaching disciples how to pray, Jesus reminds them that persistent prayer and intercession will receive its reward, for God is ever willing to give what is good for His people. Reflect: Abraham takes the freedom and the courage to speak up on behalf of others, and God listens to him. If God is only too willing to listen to us when we pray on behalf of others, how frequently do I intercede for the needs of others? What is the content of my prayer? Does my prayer give glory and praise to God? Do I rest content with whatever answers God gives me because God always grants what is best for me? Pray: Pray the Lord’s Prayer, slowly and reflectively. Listen: Lean on Jesus and let him teach you how to pray. Act: Make a list of people who need your intercessory prayers and pray for them this week.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Jul 2013 23:31:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015