“Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.” Luke 11:5-8 NLT
Our Father,
“Then teaching them more about prayer” . . . what an incredible little statement. Not what to pray but how it works. You did not give us lots of prayers to learn. No magic formula. You told the disciples, and us, to be assured that their requests would be answered if sincere. If we can trust that a friend would give us a loaf when it was inconvenient, we can trust You to provide what we need – if we shamelessly bang on Your door in our time of need! What a wonderful picture.
And as You never slumber or sleep, You would never answer with an excuse like You are tucked up for the night. I wonder if Jesus told this illustration with a smile on his face and twinkle in His divine eye?!
Help us to remember our answered prayers and grow in faith. If we are in a place where we are not sure what to ask, help us just to tell You and leave You to answer. Knowing that You are a miracle working Saviour. You do not measure out answers, we cannot use up Your grace. We are all loved to the fullness of Christ. No exceptions. We all deserve to receive grace, in fact grace upon grace because of Jesus (John 1:16)! Luke knew it was important to include this teaching about prayer. Help us to pray persistently while trusting You for answers whatever the situation and whatever time of day it is.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Just suggestions for prayer . . .
Our Father,
We pray,
For all our family, friends and neighbours. For their many individual needs and hopes. We pray with shameless persistence they will know the true meaning of Christmas.
For churches as they prepare advent services and carol services that visitors will attend. That visitors will be blessed and drawn to come again to meet You not just to sing about baby Jesus.
For those who turn to Your prayer in times of need – help them to meet with You through it.
For our Government, King, Queen and their family.
For Gaza and the Middle East, for a ceasefire and a miraculous future of peace.
For Putin and Ukraine. To see a future without war and a way to peace and justice.
For all those who need to know they are loved with Your everlasting, unfailing love today.
For all those who gather together for prayer in two’s , three’s or church groups. And those who pray consistently at home in their quiet moments. For the prayer rooms where there is 24 hour prayer 7 days a week!
For ourselves, we pray that You would accept our worship, bless our homes, our families, our churches, our neighbourhood, our town or city, our nation, our world, our galaxy with Your grace, healing and eternal life.
In Jesus name, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 5th December 2023
Make my life a prayer to You
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light You gave
Through Your Son You sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know You’re really there
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you’re coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You’re not some fable or fairy tale
That I’ve made up inside my head
You’re God the Son and You’ve risen from the dead
Oh I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it’s so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust
And just believe what You say
Oh you’re coming again
Coming to take me away
I wanna die and let You give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope You gave to me
I want to share the love that set me free