Praying is important in the life of a disciple. Jesus’ ministry was centered in a life of prayer. He constantly prayed to God (Luke 5:16; 6:12). When one of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught the disciples how to be in communion with God.
Read Luke 11:1–13. Notice how Jesus arranged the prayer. First is an introduction that gives God all honor and praise. This statement of praise sets the tone before we continue with our requests: Without praising God first, our prayers become a laundry list of needs and woes. Second, this prayer reminds us that God provides for all our needs. In our daily conversations with God, we also witness God’s blessing in our lives. Third, the Lord’s Prayer teaches us about God’s forgiveness. This is the foundation of our relationships with God, others, and ourselves: God’s forgiveness enables us to release to God our unresolved issues and hurts.
When we are persistent and bold in our prayers, the Holy Spirit helps us change our hearts and minds while gaining clarity about what we need. Persistence serves the intensity of our need for God, who is already at work in our lives.
Tomorrow: Reflecting on our prayer life Today we observe Monday in Holy Week.
Today we remember Catherine of Siena, theologian, who died in 1380. This message was adapted from the “Lessons for Today’s Disciples” resource written by Valora K. Starr and available from the Women of the ELCA. The resource is also available in Spanish.
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