Welcome to New Covenant Church!

We are so glad you have joined us to celebrate the Risen Lord! This week, we will hear a lesson from Fr. Christopher Caudle called "Following Breadcrumbs." Here are the scriptures for this week:

Scriptures
Psalm 80:1-2, 8-18
Hebrews 11:29 - 12:2
Luke 11:1-13

We look forward to seeing you online with us!

Hear the sermon now, "Following Breadcrumbs" - Fr. Christopher Caudle

Summary

Fr. Christopher explores a Christian teaching on prayer, focusing on a parable told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It emphasizes the importance of persistence and audacity or boldness in prayer, especially intercessory prayer, and reflects on God’s generosity and responsiveness to human needs.

Introduction to the Teaching on Prayer

He begins by explaining that Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, inspired by how John the Baptist instructed his disciples. This request highlights the disciples’ recognition that Jesus’ power in preaching, healing, and delivering comes from His prayer life. The teaching on prayer is presented not just as words to repeat but as a framework for spiritual growth and sincere communication with God.

The Parable of the Midnight Request

Jesus shares a parable about a traveler arriving at midnight who needs three loaves of bread from a friend. The unusual timing and the scarcity of bread in the household illustrate a situation where a need arises unexpectedly and resources are depleted. The parable highlights the concept of “shameless audacity” — the persistent knocking on the door despite inconvenience or reluctance from the neighbor — as a metaphor for how believers should approach God in prayer.

Social and Practical Context

Fr. Christopher explains cultural norms around late-night calls and the typical daily bread-making practices, emphasizing that bread was not usually stored overnight. This detail underscores the urgency and difficulty of the request, making the persistent knocking even more significant.

Audacity in Prayer

The friend inside initially resists, citing inconvenience and fatigue, yet the persistent knocking leads to the friend eventually providing as much as needed. Jesus uses this to teach that if even reluctant neighbors respond to persistence, God, who is infinitely generous, will respond even more readily to persistent prayer. The parable encourages believers to pray boldly and without hesitation, especially on behalf of others in need.

Intercessory Prayer and Its Power

Fr. Christopher stresses that sometimes needs come to individuals that they cannot meet alone, and prayer becomes a conduit for divine provision. The person praying may not be the direct recipient but acts as an intercessor, knocking on heaven’s door for others. This role is vital as those in need may not know God or have direct access, but trust the believer to bring their needs before God.

The Nature of God’s Generosity

Jesus explains that God, as a good father, will not give harmful gifts when asked for something good. Instead, God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask, which may sometimes be a response greater than the immediate material need. This teaches that God’s answers to prayer may be different from human expectations but are ultimately for the best and eternal good.

The Lord’s Prayer as a Model

Fr. Christopher outlines the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern Jesus gave, emphasizing dependence on God for “daily bread,” forgiveness, and guidance away from temptation. This prayer is about material needs, spiritual sustenance, and alignment with God’s kingdom and holiness.

Biblical Examples of Midnight Prayer and God’s Faithfulness

Several scriptural references illustrate that God’s activity and human prayer are not confined to convenient times. Midnight is shown as a time when God acts powerfully — from the Exodus story to Paul and Silas praying in prison — highlighting that persistent prayer at any hour can be effective and a witness to others.

Jesus’ Own Prayer Life and Its Lessons

Fr. Christopher concludes by reflecting on Jesus’ prayer habits as recorded in Luke’s Gospel, showing His reliance on prayer in baptism, miracles, decisions, and trials. Jesus prays for His disciples’ faith and encourages them to pray for those who mistreat them, modeling persistent, intercessory, and forgiving prayer.

Practical Application and Encouragement

Believers are encouraged to pray with shameless audacity, especially for others facing trials or faith challenges. Audacity in prayer means approaching God with bold, persistent requests fueled by faith, a deep understanding of God’s love, and a willingness to answer. Intercessory prayer is a way to grow in faith and understanding of God’s character. The closing imagery invites believers to see themselves as the traveler in need and as the persistent neighbor knocking on heaven’s door on behalf of others.

This teaching underscores prayer as a dynamic, persistent, and relational practice that connects believers with God’s generosity and invites them into God’s mission of provision and grace.