Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9 (NIV)

A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, teach us to pray as one of your disciples. Amen. (Luke 11:1)

Mealtime Prayer:
Thank you, God, for this our food, for life and health and every good. May we—more blessed than we deserve—live less for self and more to serve. Amen.

A Blessing to Give:
May God watch over you and save you from trouble. May all the good plans God has for you come to be. Amen. (Psalm 138:6-8)

CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Who do you find it easy to talk to? Why?
• Do you find prayer easy or difficult? Why?
• When Jesus’ disciples wanted to learn how to pray, Jesus taught them
the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). What is your favorite part of the prayer?
What part do you find it hardest to pray or to understand?

DEVOTIONS
In your home devotion times this week, focus on the different parts of the Lord’s Prayer in turn: (1) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (2) Your kingdom come. (3) Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (4) Give us today our daily bread. (5) Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. (6) Lead us not into temptation. (7) But deliver us from evil. Talk about what each part means and how it applies to you. Use questions such as, “How do we keep God’s name holy?”; “How do we help God’s kingdom to come?”; “How can we show appreciation for the daily gifts God give us?” If you have young children in your home, take this opportunity to help them memorize the prayer.

SERVICE
One way to serve others is by bringing their needs before God in prayer. What needs do you see in the lives of others around you? Make a point of praying for two or three people in particular this week. Send them a card to let them know that they are in your prayers.

RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Prayer is a practice we need to learn, both as individuals and as a family (even Jesus’ disciples needed to learn how to pray!). What part does prayer play in your home life? Consider bringing these forms of prayer into your home routine.
• Pray for one another. Pray for specific family members on special occasions,
such as birthdays. Designate a time each week when you specifically pray
for one another.
• Pray for others. Include a time each week to pray for persons outside your
family, and for the needs of the wider world.
• Pray at meals. Make mealtime graces a part of your daily life. Use the
weekly mealtime prayer provided here in Taking Faith Home.
• Give thanks. Make a habit of offering thanks to God often, such as
when you return safely from a trip, when good news is received and when
milestones are reached.

Sunday Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches about prayer
Monday Luke 18:1-8 A parable about prayer
Tuesday Luke 18:9-14 Parable about two men praying
Wednesday 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Hannah prays to the Lord
Thursday 1 Kings 18:16-46 Elijah prays to the Lord
Friday 2 Kings 19:9-20, 32-36 Hezekiah prays to the Lord
Saturday Psalm 32:6-11 Let all the godly pray
Sunday Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool