Category Archives: Luke

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.”

² He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
³ Give us each day our daily bread.
⁴ Forgive us our sins,
    for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”

⁵ 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; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ 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.’ ⁸ 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.

⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Dear God, a couple of days ago I asked you for something fairly boldly while praying with my wife. It’s been a couple of years of silence on this issue, but I felt compelled to pray about it that day. Then, I was surprised later that day when my wife contacted me and told me there had been a breakthrough. I immediately thought back to my prayer with her that morning. Are you moving? Did the Holy Spirit prompt me to pray about it? What could be next?

When my wife and I pray together nearly every day, we pray for a lot of things and a lot of people. Some of it feels hopeless. Some of it feels like a waste of time. And some of it feels like simple duty. I love these people, and although it feels hopeless to pray for it I have a duty to pray for them. So I pray. I don’t quite understand how my prayers work. I don’t know how much they change you/your mind, how much they empower your Spirit and/or angels to work, or how much they just change and shape me. According to this passage, my prayers have the potential to actually change your mind and move you into action. That seems amazing to me. I can see them inviting your power into a situation and increasing it. I can see them changing me and my heart. But to get you to change course? Is the fate of the world really dependent upon what your people ask for in prayer?

Father, I guess the prayer today is that you would teach me to pray. I’ve never been as good as my wife at intercessory prayer. I wonder if you are calling me to be better at it. So, Holy Spirit, lay something on my heart for which I should pray at an intense intercessory level. And if it moves you into action where there would otherwise have been no action, so much the better, but use it to speak to me and grow my heart towards yours.

I pray this through Jesus, my Lord,

Amen

⁴ “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. ⁵ But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.

⁶ “What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. ⁷ And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Luke 12:4-7

Dear God, the verse of the day from Bible Gateway is verse 6, but I lose a lot if I don’t go back and pick up what Jesus said in verse 4: “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body..” Hold it! What? I want to think of that verse just pertaining to my daily needs: bread, shelter, etc. But Jesus is talking about something on a whole other level that I as a 21st century American don’t consider.

Yesterday at lunch, I was with a group of people and there was a Chinese national at the table who is now a U.S. citizen. Someone at the table asked her what the best thing is about American and she said, “Freedom.” Then she went on to tell of the draconian restrictions on some of her family members in China over the last few Covid years. First, it made me think that those who claim China released Covid-19 on the world intentionally discount how much the virus has cost China itself. But then I thought about how we, as Americans, just have not idea what it means to suffer. We consider a mask requirement or a negative Covid test requirement is a persecution too difficult to bear. We think our churches should be exempt from restrictions for crowd gathering that any other part of society (movie theaters, restaurants, etc.) is subject to.

But Jesus takes all of that stuff off of the table in this story. He takes it all of the way to death and says, “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body…”

Father, Holy Spirit, as I say these words from Act 20:24, I really, really hope I mean them. Quoting Paul, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me. The task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Help me to live those words, even in my conversations today.

In Jesus’s name and through his life, death, and resurrection I pray,

Amen

¹³ Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

¹⁴ Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” ¹⁵ Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

¹⁶ Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. ¹⁷ He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ ¹⁸ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. ¹⁹ And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

²¹ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Luke 12:13-21

Dear God, I’m fascinated by the difference between what Jesus emphasizes as his role in our lives in verse 14 and what Christians seem to see as his role in our lives now. I get so tired of hearing the church complain that we are being mistreated or persecuted by society. First, we have zero idea what real persecution is. Second, if we are being mistreated for legitimately discipling and living out our faith, isn’t that the time we are supposed to double down and show even more love? The guy who approached Jesus in verse 13 wanted both justice and money. Jesus basically told him he was wrong to be concerned about either for himself. He saw the man as greedy, plain and simple. Jesus challenged that greed.

I’ll confess that I’ve felt some questioning in my heart about how much my wife and I are spending on this vacation as compared with what we could be giving to others. In reality, we don’t hold back on giving. I think that, by any measure, we are generous with others. But this trip does seem very self-indulgent. I mentioned this recently to a friend who does not have much money and she did not begrudge us this trip at all. And maybe that’s right.

Father, Holy Spirit, please help me to search my heart and figure out where my greed lies and what I should do about it. Show me how to love others with your love. Show me the needs around me you want me to address. Show me what my role is in the broken relationships in my life.

I pray this through the power of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection,

Amen

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:11-13

Dear God, our children will never know how much we love them. They don’t understand the depths of the pain and joy they can bring us. How much we can hurt for them when we they hurt. How much we worry about them. How much we root for them. How much we celebrate with them.

I guess we also will never know how much you love us. We don’t understand the depths of the pain and joy we can bring you. How much you can hurt for us when we hurt. How much you worry about us. How much you root for us. How much you celebrate us. And how much our rejection can hurt your.

Father, I’m thinking of some specific situations right now that need your attention. For privacy, I won’t enumerate them here, but you know who is on my heart. Mothers of young children who are possibly gravely ill. Children who are in danger. Broken relationships between parents and children. Holy Spirit, be everything you are to each person. Be a counselor, comforter, healer, etc. Be the Father’s presence with each of us. Help to make this pain count. For your glory, oh, Lord.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land…”
Luke 15:12-13a

Dear God, I know this is a parable to describe your relationship with us, but I still want to sit with the father in this moment. Until the son showed back up, this is where the father’s knowledge stops. He doesn’t know the boy blew all of the money. He doesn’t know how he spent it. He doesn’t know he’s broke and starving. For all he knows, the boy could be out living a good life, being responsible, and he will never be seen again.

I live in a small town that just finished a year of celebrating its 175th year of settlement. 176 years ago, a group of Prussians (now Germans) left everything behind to come to start fresh in America. I’d never thought about their individual motivations before going to a worship service last Thursday, but most of them were saying goodbye to family forever, never to be seen or heard from again. Some of them were probably alone in the world with nothing to lose, but I’m sure there were some who were like the boy in the parable: “I’ve had it with you people. I’m out of here.” Then those that loved them were left. It was like a death.

I’ve experienced this kind of pain. It’s probably why I’m unwilling to inflict it upon others even though that is certainly my temptation. But I know the depths to which it cuts. I can’t do that to someone else. After all, you would never abandon me. How can I completely abandon someone else.

Father, I’m sorry I turn my back on you. I’m sorry I’ve allowed myself to turn my back on others at times. And I don’t mind telling you that my current pain is great. Be in my multiple situations and heal it all. And if this pain must be experienced, please make it count.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

¹¹ To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

¹³ “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land…“

Luke 13:11-13a

Dear God, I don’t think we sit with the father in the parable (you) enough. We don’t know how much time passes between verse 13 and verse 20 (“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”), but it was long enough for a famine to set it and drive the boy to his knees, so it was presumably a long time. And you sit there and wait for so many of us. You just wait, and wait, and wait.

There’s a lot that happens while we wait in situations like this. There’s a lot of second-guessing–at least there is for humans. Is there second-guessing on your part too? There’s sorrow. Mourning. Anger. Frustration. There’s pain. To think of the pain that you expose yourself to is incredible. I know the pain I’ve felt, and it must be insignificant compared to what you feel and on a much broader scale. What a mess life can be.

Father, going off of what I prayed yesterday and combining it with this prayer and scripture today, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

³⁶ Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. ³⁷ Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. ³⁸ She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

Dear God, I wonder how well Simeon and Anna new each other. And I wonder what Anna was like to be around. She is labeled by Luke as a prophet, but in this case, she is going off of Simeon’s recognition of Jesus as the Messiah. She was 84, so it’s not likely she lived much long after this day. The same for Simeon. That’s another thing about this story. We don’t have to physically see what you are doing. Your Spirit can tell us and that can be enough for us.

Finally, I wonder what it was like for the other people to hear what Anna said about Jesus. Did they recognize her authority as a prophet, or was she just the crazy lady who was always there? Did they respect her and come to meet the baby or did they pat her on the head and send her on her way? I would probably have discounted her and her experience. It reminds me of the shepherds back in Bethlehem going around and telling everyone what they saw. I wonder how those who heard the news responded.

Father, there is so much in my life that I don’t understand. The future is hazy to me. From family, to work, to community, I don’t understand what is happening or what, if anything, you are doing in any of the given areas. But I thank you. I worship you. I am confident in your goodness and I don’t need to physically see evidence of it to believe in it. But I do ask for your direction. I ask that you help me to step carefully, diligently, lovingly, and mercifully today, tomorrow, and for however much time you might have allotted to my life. Do it all for your glory, oh, my Lord.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”
Luke 2:25-35

Dear God, there was something about Simeon that he could see through his own preconceived notions of what the Messiah would be. He could hear your voice and use his particular insight to try to prepare Mary for the future. While Zechariah and even Mary herself were prophesying all of the great things you would do, Simeon tells Mary that many within Israel will fall. He says that many will oppose him. He says that the deepest thoughts (darkest secrets?) of hearts will be revealed. And most presciently, Mary’s soul will be pierced.

Of course, it is easy to see how he was right because we have the benefit of knowing the story. I was recently watching a “reaction video” on YouTube. A young man was watching Casablanca for the first time. One thing that occurred to me years ago is that we have the benefit of knowing history when we watch that movie. The Germans lose. Hitler dies. Our side wins. But this movie was filmed shortly after Pearl Harbor and released later that year in 1942–two years before D Day. Three years before V-E Day or V-J Day. They didn’t know how things were going to end. In fact, at that point, things didn’t look good for our side. When you layer that over the top of the telling of this story, it makes it that much more remarkable.

Going back to Simeon, I wonder how his own prophecy made him feel. I wonder if it surprised him. I’m sure it surprised Mary and Joseph. I’ve said before that I’m sure it would have shocked Zechariah and Mary to know how John the Baptist’s and Jesus’s lives met with murder at the hands of Herod and the Jewish people, respectively. I’m sure Mary didn’t expect Jesus to need to be resurrected in the first place. So did Simeon see Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, feel moved, and then just start prophesying things he’d never thought before? How did he feel about this prophecy? As he sat and watched people in the Temple every day, did it surprisingly make a lot of sense to him?

Father, I guess the point of all of this is that the only way I can really see what is going on is if I listen to your voice. I cannot reason my way to the right conclusions. I cannot understand what you are doing in this life or that one. I don’t even understand what you’re doing in my life. But you are working. I trust that you are working. Thank you for doing so much more than I can see.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

⁴¹ As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it ⁴² and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. ⁴³ The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. ⁴⁴ They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Luke 19:41-44

Dear God, it’s interesting that Jesus wasn’t pitying Jerusalem because of any great sin. He wasn’t pitying them for debauchery or anything like that. He was pitying them because they didn’t recognize you when he came. And who was it who didn’t recognize him? Was it the godless? No, it was the religious leaders.

I’m going to a ministerial association meeting later this morning. There are some really good people in there. And I don’t want to cast any stones because I am chief among sinners. What does concern me, however, are the leaders who have mixed political concerns (not even power, but just anger over the decisions politicians are making) with theology. It feels like we are just getting all of this mixed up when Jesus didn’t seem to care at all about what Rome was up to. Unfair taxes? Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. Cruel executions through crucifixion? Crucify me too. Centurions who are slave owners? Help them out and heal their slave. And those are just the examples off of the top of my head.

However, there was plenty of venom in Jesus for the religious leaders, and the foremost sin that seemed to disgust him was hypocrisy. Do what I say and not what I do. Love others while I ignore others. Live up to the letter of the law while I disobey the spirit of the law. The fact that they judged others so harshly really, really bothered him.

I’ll admit that it is hard for me to know where to draw the line. I mentioned a couple of days ago a conversation I recently had with a man. He is a good man who is trying to be moral, but he has a venom towards Christianity. But I don’t think it is the Christianity that is about Jesus. I don’t think he is talking about being angry with Jesus. I think, when it comes down to it, he is probably as angry with the church as Jesus was. I wonder how angry you are with the American Christian church now. If you were dictating Revelation to John today, what would you have to say about the church in America?

Father, I admit that I get too easily distracted from really worshiping you by other things. Frankly, the fall can be hard for me because, for whatever reason, I really enjoy college football, and it can really take a lot of my time and energy. But I want to be found faithful. I want you to live through me. I want to be in relationship with you and worship you. I want you to be my God. Thank you for loving me so much.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen