Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. Luke 11:5-8
Jesus taught his disciples to pray. He gave them a model prayer that most of us could recite. But then He illustrated the persistence with which we can pray, knowing that God is loving, powerful, attentive and understands even our motives. The translators of the New International Version of the Bible translated the attitude as “shameless audacity”. I am not an advocate for leaving out reverence when addressing the maker of the universe, but what an invitation Jesus gives us to approach our Heavenly Father with the boldness and pure motives.
How is my prayer life? Is it rich and bold and shameless?
God, You have always been faithful and merciful to me. I think about some family members and friends that are suffering because their bodies are simply failing. Oh, would you in Your grand affection, comfort them and buoy them up. I am reminded that none of us is promised tomorrow and every day and person is precious.
