Instructions on Prayer

11:1 Now1 Jesus2 was praying in a certain place. When3 he stopped, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John4 taught5 his disciples.” 11:2 So he said to them, “When you pray,6 say:

Father,7 may your name be honored;8

may your kingdom come.9

11:3 Give us each day our daily bread,10

11:4 and forgive us our sins,

for we also forgive everyone who sins11 against us.

And do not lead us into temptation.”12

11:5 Then13 he said to them, “Suppose one of you14 has a friend, and you go to him15 at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,16 11:6 because a friend of mine has stopped here while on a journey,17 and I have nothing to set before18 him.’ 11:7 Then19 he will reply20 from inside, ‘Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children and I are in bed.21 I cannot get up and give you anything.’22 11:8 I tell you, even though the man inside23 will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of the first man’s24 sheer persistence25 he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

11:9 “So26 I tell you: Ask,27 and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door28 will be opened for you. 11:10 For everyone who asks29 receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door30 will be opened. 11:11 What father among you, if your31 son asks for32 a fish, will give him a snake33 instead of a fish? 11:12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?34 11:13 If you then, although you are35 evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit36 to those who ask him!”