Today is Sunday the 24th July, the 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time.


Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing: ‘O my heart be wise when your enemies surround you. Keep praying; ask the Lord for help. For he is powerful. That is your weapon; do not lose it. Pray without ceasing, for the Lord is powerful.’

(Lyrics currently unavailable)

Today’s reading is from the gospel of Luke.

Luke 11:1-13

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’

And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.” And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

In today’s reading, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. Have you ever asked the Lord to teach you how to pray? What did you learn from the request?

Jesus doesn’t stop at teaching a new set of words, he suggests a new attitude altogether. You may know already that the word Jesus uses for Father is nearer to our word for ‘Daddy’, Jesus then reminds us that God waits up for us, is happily inconvenienced by us and never loses patience. How does this image reflect in your experience?

As you listen again, become aware of God speaking to you through this very passage…

All that Jesus talks about depends on conversation, sharing, presence and persistence. Have confidence to share a time of quiet prayer with the Lord on this Sabbath day.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.