Episode 941
The Politics of Prayer: A Revolutionary Perspective
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".
Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.
Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The discourse presented in this episode serves as a profound exploration of prayer as articulated in Luke 11:1-13, wherein Dr. Brad Miller elucidates the intricate relationship between humanity and the divine. He posits that prayer, far from being a mere ritual of personal supplication, embodies a revolutionary act of political significance. The episode begins with an invocation of the necessity for communal well-being, as reflected in the Lord's Prayer, which emphasizes collective requests for daily sustenance and mutual forgiveness. Dr. Miller propounds that the essence of this prayer transcends individualistic spiritual engagements, advocating instead for a systemic change that addresses societal injustices. This perspective invites listeners to contemplate the broader implications of their prayers, urging them to consider not only personal needs but also the plight of marginalized communities in their supplications.
Furthermore, Dr. Miller introduces the concept of sacred persistence, illustrated through the parable of the midnight visitor. He challenges the conventional notion of bothering God, reframing this persistent entreaty as a form of holy activism that disrupts complacency regarding social injustices. This segment of the episode is particularly striking, as it compels us to reassess our approach to prayer—encouraging a sense of urgency and commitment in the pursuit of justice. The narrative stresses that prayer should not merely be an act of individual reflection but an impetus for societal transformation, thus redefining the role of the believer in the quest for equity and justice in the world.
In conclusion, Dr. Miller's exhortation to adopt a direct relationship with the divine encourages listeners to eschew transactional models of faith that seek to manipulate divine favor through elaborate rituals. Instead, he presents a vision of God as a benevolent parent, responsive to the genuine needs of humanity. This refreshing interpretation of prayer invites individuals to articulate their concerns candidly, fostering a relationship characterized by trust and simplicity. As the episode draws to a close, Dr. Miller offers actionable steps for listeners, urging them to compose their own versions of the Lord's Prayer that reflect the justice issues pertinent to their contexts. This call to action encapsulates the episode's core message: that prayer is a dynamic and transformative practice, essential for both personal and communal liberation.
Takeaways:
- The essence of prayer, as highlighted in the podcast, emphasizes a profound relationship between the divine and humanity, urging us to seek divine provision directly.
- Jesus' instructional template for prayer is framed within a revolutionary context that calls for systemic change and societal liberation rather than mere personal piety.
- The podcast elucidates the importance of persistence in prayer, likening it to holy activism that challenges the complacency surrounding issues of justice and equality.
- Listeners are encouraged to articulate their own versions of the Lord's Prayer, which should reflect the specific justice issues pertinent to their communities and contexts.
- The discourse underscores the significance of directness in our communication with God, advocating for an honest expression of our needs without resorting to manipulative or ritualistic approaches.
- Lastly, the episode emphasizes the necessity of integrating our prayers with actionable steps towards justice, highlighting the transformative potential of collective well-being in prayer.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- Voice of God Daily
Transcript
The Politics of Prayer A reflection on Luke 11:1 13 on the Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lesson selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading from Luke 11:1 13 reading from the message ask for what you need.
Speaker A:One day he was praying at a certain place and when he finished, one of his disciples said, master, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.
Speaker A:So he said, when you pray, say father, reveal who you are, set the world right.
Speaker A:Keep us alive with three square meals.
Speaker A:Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Speaker A:Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil.
Speaker A:Then he said, imagine what would happen if you went to a friend in the middle of the night and said, friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
Speaker A:An old friend traveling through just showed up and I don't have a thing on hand.
Speaker A:The friend answers from his bed, don't bother me.
Speaker A:The door's locked, the children are all down for the night.
Speaker A:I can't get up to give you anything.
Speaker A:But let me tell you, even if he won't get up because he's a friend, if you stand your ground knocking and waking all the neighbors, he'll finally get up and give you whatever you need.
Speaker A:Here's what I'm saying.
Speaker A:Ask and you'll get.
Speaker A:Seek and you'll find.
Speaker A:Knock and the door will open.
Speaker A:Don't bargain with God, be direct.
Speaker A:Ask for what you need.
Speaker A:This is not a cat and mouse hide and seek game we're in.
Speaker A:If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?
Speaker A:If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider?
Speaker A:As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing.
Speaker A:You're at least decent to your own children and don't you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?
Speaker A:This is just a setting here in the scripture where Jesus really offers a radical reimagining of what prayer is all about in this divine God to human relationship.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first is about revolutionary prayer.
Speaker A:Jesus prayer template is strikingly political Set the world right, he says.
Speaker A:This suggests systematic change, not just personal piety.
Speaker A:This prayer centers on collective well being, daily bread for all, mutual forgiveness and community transformation.
Speaker A:It's less about individual salvation and more about societal liberation.
Speaker A:The second point is about sacred persistence.
Speaker A:The parable about the midnight visitor reframes bothering God as holy activism.
Speaker A:Just as persistent knocking disrupts a neighbor's comfort, maybe prayer should disturb our complacency about injustice.
Speaker A:This isn't about pestering God, but about maintaining urgency in our work for justice.
Speaker A:The third point is about direct relationship.
Speaker A:The scripture says, don't bargain with God, be direct.
Speaker A:Jesus dismantles transactional religion where we try to manipulate God's divine favor.
Speaker A:Instead, he portrays God as a loving parent who doesn't need convincing or complex rituals to respond to human need.
Speaker A:This challenges of both prosperity gospel and punitive theology.
Speaker A:Let's talk about an action step.
Speaker A:Write down your own version of the Lord's Prayer that specifically names the justice issues in your context.
Speaker A:What does daily bread mean to you in a world where there are food deserts?
Speaker A:What does forgiveness look like when there are systems of oppressions all around?
Speaker A:Share your prayer with others, with a friend or community, and discuss a call to action that may be in that prayer.
Speaker A:We're going to come back and have a closing prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker A:Just a reminder that we have a great resource that I really want you to take advantage of.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:It's here to help you with your own daily personal Bible study.
Speaker A:You pick it up at our website, Voice of God Daily, and it's free to you.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you're a source of love.
Speaker A:We don't come to manipulate our bargain, but to speak honestly about our needs and dreams.
Speaker A:When we see systems that need setting right, give us courage to keep knocking even when it disturbs the peace.
Speaker A:When we worry about having enough, remind us that your economy is about abundance, not scarcity.
Speaker A:When we're tempted to make prayer complicated, help us return to simple trust and direct action.
Speaker A:Guide us and pray not just with our words, but with our lives and choices until your justice flows like a mighty stream.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend.
Speaker A:I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
