September 24, 2019
Luke 11:5-9
Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;  a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’  And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.  “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 
New International Version (NIV)
What are the three things pastors do?  Based on my 38 years as pastor of four churches, I think I would answer, preach, visit the sick and lead the church.  One prominent church searching for a pastor says they are looking for a CEO. 

One of my favorite pastors and authors, Eugene Peterson surprised some when he answered the question, “Pastors pray, read scripture and give spiritual direction.”  In recent years I have come to believe my most important work in the church is to pray for the people.  Since I am still an amateur, with Jesus’ disciples I ask him, “Teach us to pray.”

Jesus’ story stands out to me for two words:  “Shameless audacity.”  Describing a man who imposes on a friend for bread late at night, he concludes that the friend will give the bread not because of friendship but because of “shameless audacity.”

Does that even remotely sound like our prayer life?  Do we ask God for our needs shamelessly and audaciously?  I wonder.  Perhaps God is not saying, “I can’t believe they asked me for a spiritual awakening and a renewal of my people.”  Instead, God is wondering, “When will they ask?”  Pray for his work in our church and our city.  Think big.  He is the King!
Pray with me:       
Father, teach us to pray.  Make us bold to ask and to act on behalf of your kingdom on this earth.  Give us bread or we will die.  Forgive our sins or we will perish eternally.  Lead us to victory over temptation today.  In Jesus’ name we ask, with shameless audacity.  Amen.  
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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