Thursday, September 11
Lord, teach us how to pray.—Luke 11:1.
In answer to this request, Jesus gave his disciples two related illustrations. The first is about a man who is hosting a guest. At midnight, the man goes to the home of a friend and persistently asks him for bread to feed the late-arriving visitor. (Luke 11:5-8) Jesus then explained how this illustration applies to the practice of prayer, saying: “Accordingly I say to you, Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds, and to everyone knocking it will be opened.” (Luke 11:9, 10) Since Jesus presents this host as an example for us, our prayers should likewise be persistent. Jehovah wants us to ‘keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking.’ In response, he will “give holy spirit to those asking him.”—Luke 11:13. w06 12/15 2:3-5 |