Daily Prayer through the Life of Jesus (Praying through the Gospel of Luke): Daily Prayer

Daily Prayer

Through the Life of Jesus

(Praying through the Gospel of Luke)

Berenice Aguilera

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(Formerly titled: Daily Prayer through Luke)

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Introduction

When you placed your trust and life into God’s care; when you took God at His word and chose to believe that Jesus paid the price for your sin; your life became hidden with Christ in God. You belong to Him. And it will take a lifetime and more to get to know Him

As you read through the gospel of Luke, you will find your knowledge of God expanding and growing. You will find that He talks to you through His word. You will find that horrible spiritual dryness disappearing, along with depression and despair. It will change the way you deal with your family, your work situation and relationships in every area of your life. It will be easier to discern His will and clearly see the works He has for you to do.

As you read the Bible and pray, you will experience more moments of joy and peace. You will find strength in circumstances you never thought you could cope with. You will find your life fulfilled and content.

Try and set a time aside each day to pray and read the Bible. Take your time. If there is one thing that is true, it is that God is never in a hurry! As you pray, if other words come to mind, go with it. This book is meant to be a spring-board to you praying your own prayers and not a collection of set prayers. So off you go, get on your knees…. and pray!

May God bless you and guide you by His Spirit as you seek His presence.

Luke’s Personal Note to Theophilus

Luke 1:1-4

Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.

Father, I thank you for your written word. I ask you that as I read through the Gospel of Luke you will open up my heart and my understanding. As I pray through each section please give me grace and wisdom. Draw me close to you. I pray that as you work in my life, and as I too am an eyewitness to your works, that you give me opportunity to share with others. Whether it be by the written word whether it be by spoken word, I ask you that your Gospel might go out and that you will be honoured and glorified.

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

Luke 1:5-23

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.

Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.

An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.

Zacharias said to the angel, How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.

The angel answered him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. Behold you will be silent and not able to speak, until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.

The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marvelled that he delayed in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute.

I pray Father that even as Zechariah spent so many years being faithful to you, so I too might spend a life of being faithful to you. I pray that I will grasp with both hands anything you might tell me to do. Root out all unbelief in my life. I want to learn to trust you more. I want my faith to grow. I pray Lord that you will teach me to be obedient to you. Amen

Birth of Jesus Foretold

Luke 1:26-38

Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, Rejoice, you highly favoured one! The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!

But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb, and give birth to a son, and will call his name ‘Jesus.’ He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.

Mary said to the angel, How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?

The angel answered her, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God. Behold, Elizabeth, your relative, also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing spoken by God is impossible.

Mary said, Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.

The angel departed from her.

Lord, how amazing it must have been for Mary to see the angel, and how faith-filled a response to the message given to her. I pray that your will be done in my life. May it be to me as you will Lord God. May I accept your plans and purposes for my life. Whether it be through hardships and trials, or through easy times, I want my life to be characterised by a faithful heart like Mary. Amen.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

Luke 1:39-45

Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

She called out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favoured, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!

Father I want to bring my children before you. I know that before they were born you had a plan and a purpose for their lives. I know that your purpose for the lives of my children will be to your glory. I ask you that they will love you with all their hearts. I ask you that your word will be rich in their lives. I pray that you will fill them with your Holy Spirit and that they will serve you all the days of their lives. Amen.

Mary’s Song

Luke 1:46-56

Mary said,

"My soul magnifies the Lord.

My spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour,

for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.

For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.

For he who is mighty has done great things for me.

Holy is his name.

His mercy is for generations of generations on those who fear him.

He has shown strength with his arm.

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He has put down princes from their thrones.

And has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things.

He has sent the rich away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,

As he spoke to our fathers,

to Abraham and his offspring forever."

Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.

Let your name be glorified my God and Saviour. You looked upon me and chose to reveal yourself to me. Your mercy is truly incredible. Words cannot express how grateful I am that you changed my heart and my life. You extended your hand to me that I might belong to you forever. I know that my future is with you. You are the God who directs the hearts of Kings. You are the God who brings down the proud. You are the God who holds the world in the palm of his hands. I know each breath that I breathe is given by you. I know you direct my paths. Oh God, let my life be a living sacrifice to you, in Jesus name, amen.

Birth of John the Baptist

Luke 1:57-66

Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbours and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy towards her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. His mother answered, Not so; but he will be called John.

They said to her, There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name. They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.

He asked for a