Day 18 Tuesday March 9 2010

Day 18 Tuesday March 9, 2010

TODAY’S INTRO
At first glance, today’s text appears to be a “Cliff Notes” version of what we know as the Lord’s Prayer. Before reading it, recite what the version of the lord’s Prayer that is most familiar to you. (No problem if that is not familiar. I fully believe that we have many in our culture who are excited to learn more about Jesus and are open to exploring his ways! Truth be told- we have much to learn from those who are new to the faith. Read on, friends!)

TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 11:1-27
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.’ 2He 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; 6for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” 7And 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.” 8I 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 to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. 10For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for* a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? 12Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? 13If 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!’
Jesus and Beelzebul
14 Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ 16Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. 18If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. 19Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists* cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. 22But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. 23Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
The Return of the Unclean Spirit
24 ‘When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting-place, but not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.” 25When it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first.’
True Blessedness
27 While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!’



TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
What always stands out to me about Luke’s version of the Lord’s prayer is how brief it is. Note how the disciples ask Jesus to mentor them in prayer. His prayer is intimate, focused, and to the point.
“Father” was an intimate title similar to a child saying “Daddy”.
The latter part of the prayer is simply reminding us- pray for your daily needs and the faith to trust that “daddy will provide”
The middle part is about simply praying for God’s movement and his goodness to touch all parts of the earth. (And as we read through Luke, we must remember, loud and clear, that touching the earth is not about arrogance but rather about compassionate service to all we meet. The best days for the people of faith are when they model Christ like humility and servanthood in daily life.

Perhaps the best practice for us today is to simply pray with simplicity and clarity, no flowery and long winded language. Let me add a few prayers to start and let you finish it off.
Jesus, help us to be grateful for all you give to us.
Jesus, bring peace to all the world.
Jesus, help Christians be compassionate servants every day.
Jesus, bring jobs and new opportunities for people in need.
Jesus, help us to share and remember that you are always ready to provide.
Jesus, please watch over the people of Haiti and Chile. Give strength to those who are working so hard to help them recover.
Jesus, stand beside anyone in need so they know they are never alone.
. . . … . .(add yours)
Jesus, you already know our needs but it is good for us to voice them. We hand them to you and ask you to take charge! You’re better at being in charge than we will ever be! Amen

FRIENDS ADDED
Man with demon
Woman in Crowd

*note- more opposition to Jesus helping this man