From September 2 to November 25 we will be writing reflections based on the scripture passage, Luke 11:1-13 and its theme of Prayer. We will take one verse per week and invite you to join us in first meditating and digesting this passage slowly using lectio divina and then read the reflection. Our writers will be sharing testimony of how this scripture has impacted their lives personally.
For those new to our community, lectio divina is a traditional monastic practice of engaging with Scripture not just for intellectual understanding but to allow the Word of God to speak to the heart and transform our lives. It involves prayerfully reading the scripture four times, pausing to notice the following:
- Read and rest in the Word and resolve to live it out.
- Read the verse and listen for the word or phrase that the Holy Spirit highlights for you.
- Read the verse and ask the question, how is my life touched by this word? What in my life needs to hear this word?
- Read the verse and ask what is my response to God because of what I have read and encountered? What am I feeling, talk to God about it, listen to Him, feel His uninterrupted love and attention toward you and follow His lead in any way He is prompting you to respond.
Listen:
“And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”. (Luke 11:4)
Reflect:
When Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, one of the areas that he focused on in the Lord’s prayer was forgiveness. The bible defines forgiveness as letting go the wrong others have done to us. God forgave us of the wrong we did to him by sending his only begotten son to die for our sins and wash us of all the sins (the wrong we had done to him). The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. When you forgive someone, it frees you up in your spirit from bondage and brings peace in our lives and well-being.
This is a daily occurrence and should be a part of our lives when we pray, we should always seek forgiveness and also extend this forgiveness to others. Forgiveness has often been likened to a river. When you receive God’s forgiveness, you should likewise release forgiveness to those who wrong you.
The second half of Luke 11:4 states: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Often the unforgiveness, the refusal to release someone from the debt of their offense, leads us into temptation. This often manifests as holding onto resentment, bitterness and a desire for revenge rather than extending mercy.
Ephesians 4:31-32: commands believers to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Prayer of Response:
Father, we thank you for the gift of forgiveness. Cause forgiveness to become part of us.
Questions to Ponder:
- Have you allowed forgiveness to become part of your life?
- Do you have any ill feeling towards anyone you will bring before the Lord?
Breath Prayers:
Join us in praying breath prayers each day. We invite you to write your own as well.
Inhale(Breathe in): Lord forgive our sins
Exhale(Breathe out): As we forgive those who sin against us. (Repeat)
—Submitted by: Margaret Okello
Dr. Margaret Okello is a recipient of honorary doctorate of Philosophy in Christian Leadership and Business, at Veridian Christian University, Texas, USA, June 2025. Her career gave her the opportunity to work with people from different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, United States of America (USA), Australia and Europe. She has worked with Lifesprings International Uganda as Dean of Lifesprings School of Ministry in Uganda, oversees Lifesprings retreats, conferences in Uganda and is a writer for Lifesprings Tuesday devotions. she is a public speaker and a mentor to women and girls and assists in coordinating other NGO International projects in Uganda. Margaret is married and a mother of two biological adult children.