Luke 11 Devotional

Asking a Generous Father

“So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!””Luke 11:13 (BSB)

When Jesus finishes praying, a disciple asks him to teach them to pray (11:1). He gives them a prayer that begins with Father, then shows why they can pray boldly. A friend already in bed at midnight still gets up and gives bread to a persistent neighbor (11:5-8). Then Jesus asks which father would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish, or a scorpion when he asks for an egg (11:11-12).

Even sinful parents know how to give good gifts, Jesus says, so the heavenly Father is all the more ready to give the Holy Spirit to anyone who asks (11:13). The argument runs from the lesser to the greater. If a sleepy friend and a flawed parent will give, the Father is more ready still, and his best gift is his own presence by the Spirit. Prayer starts with receiving, not performing. You can ask him today, plainly and more than once, for what you most need.

To think about: What have you stopped asking God for because you assumed he was reluctant, and what would it look like to ask him again today?