Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: July 27, 2025

Date: 17^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Luke 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just 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 in debt to us,

and do not subject us to the final test."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today recounts Jesus’ teaching of the “Our Father” to the disciples as recounted by Luke. Jesus also instructs them to bring their needs to the loving Father and the need for persistence in prayer.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I bring myself and my needs to the Heavenly Father or do I insist on doing it myself most of the time?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son Jesus Christ, Most Holy Spirit, always and everywhere we are within your sights and benefitting from your love. May we open ourselves to your love, to your will for us, to seeking your guidance and your help in our lives. Help us to recognize the wisdom of reliance upon You, the source of our being, our Savior, and our advocate. 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.