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This week we commence looking at Luke Chapter 11. The early part of the chapter recounts the teaching that is commonly referred to as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’. Please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 11:1 (NIV)
‘One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”’
Have you ever regarded someone as a hero or heroine? When I was in my formative years, there were many, many people whom I regarded as sporting heroes. Bjorn Borg, Daley Thompson, Johan Cruyff are just a few names of people that I looked up to when I was young.
As far as rugby is concerned, it was difficult to put into words my regard for the great Gareth Edwards. When he pulled on the red jersey of Wales, in the naiveté of my youth, he was immediately catapulted into almost god-like status. I would sit glued to my TV sat watching every move he made, analysing every pass and in my head trying to second guess where he would go next. Would he pass, run or kick? It was almost impossible to know what he would do and I watched in sheer admiration of the man.
As soon as the game was over, I would immediately get my rugby ball and practice everything I saw him do earlier. Every sidestep would be replayed within the confines of my back garden. Each dive pass was expertly recreated even though the ball never went very far! I would put ‘obstructions’ in the garden and would deftly give a ‘hand-off’ as I effortlessly ran around them. For those few moments, I was Gareth Edwards.
Can you imagine what it would have been like to watch and hear Jesus pray? Over the years, there had been many, many wonderful, godly men and women. The disciples would have read the scriptures and probably would have heard additional reports of eye-witnesses handed down over the generations. They would have known how Moses would talk with God, they knew how Enoch walked with God, they’d read all about David who was a man after God’s heart. They had even seen John the Baptist with his disciples, teaching and baptising in the Jordan river.
Yet nothing would have prepared them for what was before them at this moment. I wonder if it was the manner in which Jesus prayed. I’m sure that Jesus conversing with His Father was radically different to the normal prayers heard in the temple. Whatever it was, Jesus’ disciples wanted to be able to pray just like the Saviour.
Jesus has provided a way of access to God. Let’s make the most of it. Today, in your quiet moments with the Lord, just open up your heart in sincerity and tell Him everything that is on your spirit. He’s ready to listen, to hear and to respond.
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