Luke 11:1-13 Reflection ~
Jesus’s response to how to pray is a prayer that John, a Jewish man, would be comfortable with. In the light of the Son of God, “The Lord’s Prayer” also has a Trinitarian meaning. When we pray “The Lord’s Prayer,” it is easy to gloss over acknowledging the Father is holy, inviting the kingdom to be present, and asking for; bread that satisfies physical and spiritual hunger, two-way forgiveness, and strength to endure. Perhaps more astounding is the willingness and generosity of the Father to have no limit on the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
The Lord’s Prayer by James Tissot (full resolution painting) and for more detail at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Ordinary Time Reflections
Luke 11:1-13 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
The Lord’s Prayer
11 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.”
Perseverance in Prayer
5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
9 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Luke 11:1-3 – The Lord’s Prayer.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible for the Luke 11 Bible passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.