Luke 11, Part 1

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Observation: Jesus teaches His disciples to pray. He gives them a simple prayer that says much, placing God's Sovereignty and Kingdom first, our needs second, our admittance to sin and need for forgiveness third, and last our realization of our need for Him. Then He emphasizes the importance of persistance, of remaining in prayer, because in His due time He will answer if we continue to pray.

Application: My prayers, if they are in line with God's will, will be answered. I need to believe that. I sometimes get discouraged because the answer doesn't come when I expect it, as quickly as I anticipate it. Yet my vision is limited, while God's is all encompassing. He sees what I can't see, and answers when the time is right.

Prayer: Father, my impatience can often cause me to worry unnecessarily. I worry that my prayer isn't being answered; I worry that I may not have prayed enough, or prayed too late, or wasn't being specific enough. But You know my needs better than I and before I recognize them. I will trust You to answer my requests when You consider the time is right, and not when I think is the appropriate moment. I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.