The Politics of Prayer A reflection on Luke 11:1 13 on the Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

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Here's today's reading from Luke 11:1 13 reading from the message ask for what you need.

One day he was praying at a certain place and when he finished, one of his disciples said, master, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.

So he said, when you pray, say father, reveal who you are, set the world right.

Keep us alive with three square meals.

Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.

Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil.

Then he said, imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, friend, lend me three loaves of bread.

An old friend traveling through just showed up and I don't have a thing on hand.

The friend answers from his bed, don't bother me.

The door's locked, the children are all down for the night.

I can't get up to give you anything.

But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and give you whatever you need.

Here's what I'm saying.

Ask and you'll get.

Seek and you'll find.

Knock and the door will open.

Don't bargain with God, be direct.

Ask for what you need.

This is not a cat and mouse hide and seek game we're in.

If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?

If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?

As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing.

You're at least decent to your own children and don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?

This is just a setting here in the scripture where Jesus really offers a radical reimagining of what prayer is all about in this divine God to human relationship.

Let's talk about some points to ponder.

The first is about revolutionary prayer.

Jesus prayer template is strikingly political Set the world right, he says.

This suggests systematic change, not just personal piety.

This prayer centers on collective well being, daily bread for all, mutual forgiveness and community transformation.

It's less about individual salvation and more about societal liberation.

The second point is about sacred persistence.

The parable about the midnight visitor reframes bothering God as holy activism.

Just as persistent knocking disrupts a neighbor's comfort, maybe prayer should disturb our complacency about injustice.

This isn't about pestering God, but about maintaining urgency in our work for justice.

The third point is about direct relationship.

The scripture says, don't bargain with God, be direct.

Jesus dismantles transactional religion where we try to manipulate God's divine favor.

Instead, he portrays God as a loving parent who doesn't need convincing or complex rituals to respond to human need.

This challenges of both prosperity gospel and punitive theology.

Let's talk about an action step.

Write down your own version of the Lord's Prayer that specifically names the justice issues in your context.

What does daily bread mean to you in a world where there are food deserts?

What does forgiveness look like when there are systems of oppressions all around?

Share your prayer with others, with a friend or community, and discuss a call to action that may be in that prayer.

We're going to come back and have a closing prayer here in just a minute.

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Let's pray.

Oh God, you're a source of love.

We don't come to manipulate our bargain, but to speak honestly about our needs and dreams.

When we see systems that need setting right, give us courage to keep knocking even when it disturbs the peace.

When we worry about having enough, remind us that your economy is about abundance, not scarcity.

When we're tempted to make prayer complicated, help us return to simple trust and direct action.

Guide us and pray not just with our words, but with our lives and choices until your justice flows like a mighty stream.

Amen.

My friend.

I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.