Lent 2023 – Day Fifteen – Luke 11 v 1 – 28
Welcome to our Daily reflections for Lent.
We have provided a number of ways of using these reflections.
- You can listen to it in podcast style by clicking on the first audio file. (approx 16 minutes);
- You can listen to the reflection and the prayers with a shortened length for personal prayer (approx 6 minutes);
- You can read your own version of the Bible and then listen to the reflection, play the hymn in the embedded YouTube clip and then listen to the prayer section;
- You can choose to just read through it and ignore the audio files; or
- any combination of the above.
However you choose to use them we hope you will find them helpful and thought provoking.
Full Audio of today’s reflection including Bible reading (approx 16 minutes).
Audio of Reflection and shortened prayers (approx 6 mins).
Read Luke Chapter 11 Verses 1-28. In your own preferred version. The audio uses the NIV.
“knock and the door will be opened to you.”
We read today the origin of the Lord’s prayer. Sometimes we find it difficult to pray, our minds are filled with so many things that we do not know where to start. Our words dry up and we cannot articulate our inner thoughts and needs.
Sometimes we just do not feel worthy enough to come before God with the things we want to pray for. Sometimes we just are not prepared to make the space in our lives to speak to God.
In all of those times we can return to these few short verses in Luke’s gospel. Thirty four words which we can all find time to speak.
We pray to God because he calls us to do so. We have a relationship with him and that relationship can only grow and develop if we talk and listen. A friendship would not get very far if we never met or never spoke when we were together. That is the way it is with our relationship with God we talk and we listen and in doing so we find that place where we can find peace.
I often think of the painting “Light of the World” painting by Holman Hunt. This is one of my favourite paintings but not for the reasons we possibly might think. In my case, it is the lack of a handle on the side of the door Jesus stands on, that speaks deeply to me. Jesus is always there, knocking but it is you and I who have to open that door. Then the weeds which grow on the outside of the door will be broken down. Then we will know that our sins have been forgiven and we will walk alongside the light of the world.
In our reading we see the other side of the door and it is us who knock. Asking Jesus to open the door for us. There is a deep truth in that vision as well. What a wonderful day it is when the door bursts open or perhaps when we suddenly realised that without us really noticing, the door is wide open and there stands Jesus, waiting to welcome us in.
Hymn: “Lord, when I come to you in prayer”
Contemplation Words
“…to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (v 10 NIV)
Let us pray together.
Contemplative Prayer
Think of the words in order to understand context and meaning, Feel the meaning of the words with and in your heart,
Pray, using the words, for yourself or others. With only a name and without explaining the reasons or pre-defining any answers.
Listen for God’s voice in the quiet of your prayers.
Pray using your own prayers or one of those which have been prepared below.
Twitter Prayer
Loving God we pray because you call us to pray may our words open doors between us that we will know the great love that you have for each of us. Amen
Facebook Prayer
Lord you teach us how to pray and yet so often we fail to find time to spend with you. Forgive us for our frailty and lack of passion. Help us to return to those simple yet deep words from you. That when we pray we should say “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. Amen
Full Prayer
Lord, I am so filled with your love, help me to realise that is my reality and help me to find ways to share your love with everyone I meet. Lord, once I heard your knock on my door and I opened it and welcomed you into my life. Help me never to forget the wonder of that first meeting whether in a blaze of light or in a slow realisation that you had been beside me for some time and I had not noticed. Help me to be one of your disciples, drawing others to the door which opens to your love. Lord, you do the knocking but I have a part to play in helping the world hear and respond to that knock. Thank you for the part you ask me to play in your great act of salvation in the world you created. Amen
Copyright Notices
Reflections and Prayers
By Chris Hancock
Hymns
Today’s hymn is one of my own and although I have marked it my copyright I am happy for it to be used by anyone who might like to.
Hymn words where displayed are in the Public Domain. Hymn organ recordings where used are from Small Church Music. Copyright notice: Rev. Clyde McLennan, performer in this collection, has assigned his performer rights in this collection to Hymnary.org. Non-commercial use of these recordings is permitted. Other hymns are from YouTube and covered by YouTube copyright processes.
Bible Readings
Bible readings are from the New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Images
Images where used are from pixabay.com and free for commercial use no attribution required.
Background Music
The background music in today’s recordings is: Music from Pixabay Relaxing Music Vol.12 – Relaxing Time slightly edited by Chris Hancock as permitted by the Pixabay licence.
