Daily Devotion, July 21, 2020

Devotion: Read Luke 11:1-4.

After watching Jesus pray, one of his disciples asks him to teach them how to pray. Jesus offers a model prayer that we call the “Lord’s Prayer.” Because some religious leaders were hypocrites pretending to be humble in prayer, Jesus gives an example for the apostle to follow. He says to pray privately and don’t just recite the same prayer over and over and then he says, “Pray along these lines, “

 ‘Our Father in heaven, we honor your holy name. We ask that your kingdom will come now. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food again today, as usual, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. Don’t bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the Evil One. Amen.’ (Matthew 6:9-15 The Living Bible version)

We don’t have to use these words exactly when we pray. This model prayer teaches us a number of things to include in our own prayers: the value of humility, confession, and asking for our basic needs.

Adult Challenge:

Use this list as a reminder to pray as Jesus did:

• Pray regularly.
• Pray privately.
• Pray sincerely.
• Pray specifically.

Youth Challenge:

Prayer can be an intimidating thing for people. I think we tend to put a lot of pressure on it. I have been learning a lot about prayer from my 4 year old. Her prayers are not wordy, fancy, or over complicated. Instead they are simple, sincere, and full of wonder! I want you to write out the Lord’s Prayer and then write it again in your own words. I think prayer is one of the most important gifts we have as believers and I think certain occasions call for certain prayers, but we do not need to over complicate them. We just need to pray! This is how we learn God’s voice in our lives. You know your parents voice and personality and you often know what your best friend is thinking without even saying a word. This is because you have spent a lot of time communicating and getting to know them. The same practice applies with God and prayer is how we do that.

Children's Challenge:

There are many times, places, ways, and reasons to pray. In today’s Bible passage, we’ll see how Jesus’ disciples wanted to learn how to pray. – How do you pray? Take the PRAYER POLL below. Remember, there are no wrong answers! Mark all that apply.

 

1.    What do you call God when you begin your prayers?

___Dear Jesus

___Father

___Dear God

___Father God

___Other

 

2.    At what times or places do you regularly pray?

___Mealtimes at home

___Mealtimes elsewhere

___Bedtime

___Before tests

___Other

 

3.    How did you learn to pray?

___Watching others

___Parents

___Church lesson

___Just talked to God

___Other

 

4. What kinds of things do you ask for when you pray?

___ Health

___Help with school

___For others’ needs

___Toys or things

___Forgiveness

___Other

Share responses with each other. Spend time in prayer together.