Monday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 11:1
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
11:1 Now Jesus was praying. The request of the disciples is for a distinctive prayer that they can pray as his disciples. Usually referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer,” it would be better to understand this as “The Disciples’ Prayer”—i.e., as the prayer that uniquely binds them together in a community of worship and intercession—and as such it is therefore a distinctively Christian prayer. The prayer underscores the unique relationship of Christian believers to God as their “Father” (cf. Rom. 8:14–17; Gal. 4:4–7).
Study Questions:
- In Luke 11, we see Jesus' disciples asking Him to teach them to pray. For many of us, even the most faithful of Christians, prayer is the last thing we think about. The first point from Sunday was that prayer is not a LAST RESORT. It should be our FIRST RESPONSE. What about you? Are you quick to run to God in prayer? Or do you typically try to fix things yourself first, only turning to prayer when all of your other options don't pan out?
- It's interesting to note that the disciples are asking Jesus to teach them to pray, yet these were good Jewish boys. They had grown up reciting prayers their entire lives. Yet there must have been something different about the way Jesus prayed. There was something missing in their prayer life that they longed for. When we the last time you gave much thought to your own prayer life and how you pray? Do you think there is room for improvement.
***Expanded, guided prayer time***
Pray:
- Father, I pray that you would help me to grow my passion for prayer. When things happen in my life that don't go my way, I pray that my first inclination would be to run to you in prayer. I pray that I would never view prayer as a last resort. Help me to see my need for you every single day and in every single situation. I want to know your thoughts and do things your way.
- Father I ask, just like the disciples did, that you would teach me how to pray. I have so much to learn, and I know learning comes from your Word. Teach me so that I might approach your throne correctly and so that my relationship with you might grow through constant communication. I want to know you more. Help me learn to hear your voice and discern what you are saying to me.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
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