Luke 11:5-10
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we continue to listen to Jesus teach about prayer, read Luke 11:5-10 noting any questions that arise as you read.
It’s important to remember that parables are not meant to be dissected, rather they are short stories that highlight a point. In this case, the sleepy, hesitant friend is not a reflection of God. The point of this parable is the persistence of the person in need.
Certainly there are instances in the biblical narrative where God’s actions were influenced by the prayers of a human (e.g. Genesis 18:16-33, Exodus 32:9-13), but more often prayer changes the mind and heart of the one offering the prayer.
When we seek persistently after something, whether good or bad, we are likely to find it. This is a principle of life.
Stop to think about this for a while. As you examine your daily activities, what would you say you are persistently seeking? Are the things you are actively seeking bringing you closer to God? Talk with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 11:5-10 again with all of this in mind.
When we recognize that God is the source of every good and necessary thing, and we continually seek God’s help for navigating life, we can be assured that we will find God faithful because faithfulness is God’s very character. And in the process of our persistent asking, seeking, and knocking, we will be transformed to become more like Jesus. Over time, as we persist in following Jesus, he will peel back the layers of pain and rebellion that obscure the image of God in us, and we will become more and more the people God intended us to be.
Take a moment to quiet yourself. Breathe in the name of Jesus and with it all of the mercy and grace that dwells in Jesus. Exhale any feelings of guilt or shame.
Now take time to listen to Jesus.
What is Jesus inviting you to do or do differently today?
What do you plan to do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
