The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

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. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

These verses immediately follow Jesus’ instruction to his disciples on how to pray, giving us the Lord’s Prayer. They speak about prayer more generally, specifically that God hears their prayers. This is God Emmanuel, God with us who walks with the disciples as they do ministry. This teaching also shares that God embraces vulnerability and authenticity.

Q. When is the last time that you were serious about growing your capacity to pray? What aspects of your prayer life do you want to improve?

In the story, a man goes in the middle of the night to get food for a friend who arrived unexpectedly. It would have been seen as shameful to not be able to feed a guest on a journey. It would also be shameful to wake your neighbor at midnight to borrow food.

Q. Have you ever had to choose between two difficult choices? How did prayer help you decide? Do Jesus’ words here about seeking reassure you?

God, as I continue to journey forward, I pray that I might continue to seek You with open hearts. I recognize that all good things come from Your boundless love. Teach me to approach You with persistence and trust, knowing that Your willingness to respond exceeds my understanding.

Amen.