Thursday 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. In Luke’s narrative, prayer occurs at every major point in Jesus’ life: at his baptism; at his selection of the Twelve; at Peter’s confession; at Jesus’ transfiguration; in his teaching the Lord’s Prayer; before Peter’s denial; etc.
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).
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:
- Jesus was constantly withdrawing from the crowds to pray and spend time with his heavenly Father. The disciples were familiar with prayer. Most of them had grown up good little Jewish boys that learned to recite prayers. But there was something different about the way Jesus prayed, and they wanted to learn. When was the last time you prayed for God to give you a heart for prayer? Or asked him to teach you to pray? Spend some time today doing just that!
- 'Tis the season for New Year's resolutions. In terms of your faith, where can you take a next step? Prayer? Bible study? Sharing your faith? Where is the most immediate need for growth?
Pray:
- That you would have a heart for prayer.
- That you would take a step forward in your faith this new year.
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