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Today’s background scripture comes from Luke 11:1-13.

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It’s no secret that prayer constituted an important part of My Son’s life while He walked the dusty roads of Judea. Prayer didn’t mean a daily ritual for Him, it was His lifeline. Jesus prayed continually. He stayed in constant contact with Me. Some will say it was easy for Him because Jesus was God and as part of the Trinity He had no problem staying in touch with the rest of the Trinity.

I will tell you, however, Jesus, also became fully human when He walked the earth with you. Prayer became a human discipline for Him just like it was for all of My disciples. When the twelve first traveled with Jesus they didn’t know how to pray like He did. They didn’t know how to stay in constant contact with Me. Their exposure to prayer up to that point came from the synagogues and the temple.

The disciples heard the priests and elders pray long flowery orations that lifted them in the eyes of the people, but from the prayer life of their teacher, they knew He touched heaven every time He prayed and those others didn’t. The disciples wanted to know His secret formula for getting through to Me. Jesus’ prayer that day shows the simple conversation I like to have with My children.

I want to know you love and respect Me. I want to know trust me to meet your needs. I want to know you extend mercy and grace to others. And I want to help you through the difficulties of the day. That’s the simple conversation Jesus had with Me and it covered all the bases of the life for that day. That’s all He needed to say and we shared together from the heart in those moments.

I don’t need flowery words. I don’t want long melodious tones. I don’t want ritual and repetition. I want to hear from your heart. I want to talk with you as you would talk with a friend. Share your needs, your hurts, your successes, your grief, your joy. Share your life with Me. Just talk with Me…all the time. Let it become a habit in your life so your thoughts spring to Me in your spare minutes. You’ll not be disappointed with the results in our relationship together.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:
Ready – Luke 11:1-13
Set – Genesis 28; Psalms 4; Luke 11
Go! – Genesis 27-28; Psalms 4; Luke 11

Luke 11:1-13
Another time Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples approached Him.

Disciple: Teacher, would You teach us Your way of prayer? John taught his disciples his way of prayer, and we’re hoping You’ll do the same.

Jesus: 2 Here’s how to pray:

Father [in heaven], may Your name be revered.
May Your kingdom come.
[May Your will be accomplished on earth
as it is in heaven.]
3 Give us the food we need for tomorrow,
4 And forgive us for our wrongs,
for we forgive those who wrong us.
And lead us away from temptation.
[And save us from the evil one.]
5 Imagine that one of your friends comes over at midnight. He bangs on the door and shouts, “Friend, will you lend me three loaves of bread? 6 A friend of mine just showed up unexpectedly from a journey, and I don’t have anything to feed him.” 7 Would you shout out from your bed, “I’m already in bed, and so are the kids. I already locked the door. I can’t be bothered”? 8 You know this as well as I do: even if you didn’t care that this fellow was your friend, if he keeps knocking long enough, you’ll get up and give him whatever he needs simply because of his brash persistence!

9 So listen: Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you. 10 All who keep asking will receive, all who keep seeking will find, and doors will open to those who keep knocking.

11 Some of you are fathers, so ask yourselves this: if your son comes up to you and asks for a fish for dinner, will you give him a snake instead? 12 If your boy wants an egg to eat, will you give him a scorpion? 13 Look, all of you are flawed in so many ways, yet in spite of all your faults, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to all who ask!

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.

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