Luke records that the disciples want Jesus to teach them to pray. Hopefully we have the same attitude! Here is what Jesus teaches them (and us):
- Prayer should be unselfish (us, we).
- We praise and honor God in prayer, and desire that others do the same.
- We should want God’s kingdom to come (on earth, heaven, and in our own lives).
- We can ask for things, including forgiveness.
- But we must be willing to forgive others.
- And we pray because we need God to provide protection from temptation.
- We need to be persistent in prayer.
- We are blessed because God answers prayers out of His love for us.
- And we can’t forget to pray for spiritual needs, not just physical.
Jesus next casts out a demon, and some accuse Him of being in league with the devil. Jesus responds:
- Does it make any sense for Satan to fight against himself?
- And if I am in league with the devil, then who are your exorcists in league with?
- So if I’m legit, you’d better watch out!
- If you reject me and my ministry now, you’ll be in even worse shape later! (Quite possibly referring to the nation as a whole, rather than individuals)
And He concludes with a reminder for both the nation and individuals in response to a woman’s exclamation: true blessing comes from those who hear the Word of God and obey!
Amen.