DEVOTED: Have I been praying wrong this whole time?

November 2, 2025

"God is not a cosmic grouch."

–Darrel Bock,
on why we should approach God like children approach their father

IN THIS EMAIL

Shout Out: Trunk or Treat

Try This: Thanks Be to God

Bible Discovery: Luke 11:1-13

SHOUT OUT

Devoted followers of Christ at DCC

Despite the rain last weekend, our Kids' Ministry hosted a fantastic Trunk or Treat afternoon!

With festive costumes, candy galore and fun games, it was a hit- not just for DCC families, but for many from our community who were thankful for a safe, joy-filled space for their kids.

A huge shout-out to our incredible Children’s Ministry team and everyone who showed up ready to have fun! Thank you for pouring into the next generation and extending God’s love to our neighbors. Want to be part of the impact they’re making? Reach out to Kristina Auby to get involved!

TRY THIS

Fresh ideas for spiritual growth

Thanks Be to God

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which is always a wonderful reminder to reflect on gratitude and thankfulness. While it’s natural to focus on these things during November, Scripture invites us into something even deeper: a continual, abiding thankfulness in Christ that shapes every part of our lives.

In the Bible, we see that as God’s people, we’re commanded to be grateful. Throughout the Old Testament, God calls His people to give thanks—for who He is, for His goodness and for His steadfast love that endures forever (see Psalm 100). We’re reminded to thank Him for His provision and faithfulness.

In the Gospels, Jesus models gratitude as He prays to the Father. And in the Epistles, we’re commanded to give thanks in everything. Even amid suffering or trials, we’re called to “rejoice always, pray continually [and] give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Even when we face worry and anxiety, our response is to turn first to the Lord in prayer—with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).

The fact that we are commanded to give thanks means that it must be more than a feeling; it is an orientation of our hearts, a posture, a practice, a discipline.

It can be easy to lose sight of this call in the midst of our daily lives. Our schedules can fill up with practical things we have to do—not bad things, but things the Lord has set before us: caring for our homes, our families and working for His glory. All of these are wonderful, yet how might we be transformed if we allow the Spirit to fill our mundane moments with gratitude?

Colossians 3:15-17 gives us this encouragement:

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

For the peace of Christ to rule in our hearts, we must first be forever thankful for the gift of the cross - for Christ’s sacrifice in our place, taking the punishment for all our sin so that we may be declared righteous and blameless and be given the gift of abundant life. Then we get to participate in an abundant life by letting this thankfulness infuse our everyday moments. The joy of salvation can truly revive our ordinary days if we take active thoughts to turn our minds and hearts to it.

Try This:

Choose a daily routine to thank God for. Whether it’s your morning cup of coffee, making the bed you sleep in or picking up your kids from school, thank Jesus for His provision in your life, letting even small moments become an offering of gratitude and joy.

Keep a gratitude journal or note on your phone. Write down something new each day you are thankful for and watch how your understanding of God’s provision in your life grows.

When something causes you to smile in your day, pause and say a simple prayer, “Thank you, Father, for this gift.”

Listen to songs that turn your heart toward thanksgiving. Especially for the greatest gift we have received—salvation. If a song doesn’t come to mind, start with this one: Jesus, Thank You.

End the day with a time of gratitude and prayer alone or as a family. Take a few minutes to share blessings, thank God together and reflect on how He was with each of you throughout the day.

BIBLE DISCOVERY

Get more out of the message

LUKE: Cost of Discipleship

Luke 11:1-13

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We’re diving back into the Gospel of Luke. After nine chapters introducing us to Jesus and His call, Luke now takes us with Him on the road to Jerusalem (Luke 9-19). Along the way, we’ll hear some of Jesus’ most famous teachings and stories, as He shows us what it truly costs to follow Him and why following Him is worth everything.

WATCH: YouTube or Website

To print discussion questions: Select "File" > "Print" > change the print range to the pages you want, or save as a PDF. There are other options, i.e. printing pictures, including backgrounds, to be helpful. OR you can highlight the text of the sections you would like to print > right click the highlighted text > "Print" to only print (or save as pdf) the sections you would like.

The Big Idea

(What is the author's point?)

How should Christians pray? We pray simply and boldly, knowing that our Father loves to pour out His Spirit.

Why It Matters

(Why is this relevant to us?)

Imagine standing on top of a snow-covered mountain, skis strapped to your feet, realizing you have no idea what you’re doing. Confident skiers glide effortlessly down the slope all around you, but you feel intimidated and overwhelmed. What do you need? You need a ski instructor! Someone to show you how to point your skis, shift your weight, and stop before you crash. Only after you’ve been taught can you stop obsessing over technique and start enjoying the mountain.

That’s what’s happening in Luke 11. The disciples have watched Jesus pray and sensed the incredible peace and power that flows from His connection with the Father. So they ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus responds not with vague inspiration, but with training. He hands them words that orient their hearts toward God’s holiness, His kingdom and His daily care. Then He invites them to approach God with confidence, knowing that the Father’s generosity far surpasses even the best human parent.

For us, this passage does the same. It replaces confusion with confidence. We have a Teacher who shows us how to pray simply, expectantly and relationally.

Good to Know

(What are some helpful insights into this passage?)

“When you pray, say” (11:2) – Jesus gives both a set prayer and a model, suggesting that repetition and imitation are both valid ways to pray.

“Father,” (11:2) – The Greek word pater reflects the Aramaic Abba, a term of close familial intimacy that invites believers into a confident relationship with God.

“Your kingdom come” (11:2) – Prayer for God’s Kingdom is both a longing for His future reign and a request for His present rule in our lives.

“Give us each day our daily bread” (11:3) – The rare Greek word epiousios likely means “for today,” recalling God’s daily provision of manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (11:4) – The forgiven are expected to forgive. To ask for mercy while withholding it from others is self-contradictory.

“Lead us not into temptation” (11:4) – The word peirasmos can mean “testing.” This request asks God for protection from trials that would overwhelm faith (Luke 22:40).

“Friend, lend me three loaves” (11:5) – Late-night visitors were rare, yet hospitality was a sacred duty in first-century villages. The neighbor’s request was socially expected, not outrageous.

“Do not bother me; the door is now shut” (11:7) – Peasant homes often had one room where families slept together. Opening the barred door would wake everyone.

“Because of his impudence” (11:8) – The Greek word anaideia usually means “shamelessness.” The point is that even reluctant humans respond; how much more will God!

"Ask, seek, knock...” (11:9) – These verbs are continuous in Greek, encouraging persistent, confident prayer grounded in God’s goodness.

“What father among you…” (11:11) – Jesus uses a “lesser to greater” comparison. If flawed parents give good gifts, God will give far better.

“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit” (11:13) – God is a good father and the Spirit is the ultimate gift, encompassing God’s Kingdom power, daily provision, forgiveness and protection.

THIS WEEK'S

Bible Discovery Author

Pastor Ryan Morrison

Group Guide

Following the series with your group?

Start with some icebreaker questions.
Read the passage together before you dive in.
Share any insights from the message. Use the questions below to get your conversation started:

Conversation Starters

1. (“Lord, teach us to pray,” 11:1) – What does it take for you to admit you need to be taught how to pray, and how does that posture open you up to real growth?

2. (“Father, hallowed be your name,” 11:2) – When you begin prayer, do you usually start with your needs or with God’s character? How might reordering that change your heart?

3. (“Give us each day our daily bread,” 11:3) – What would it look like for our group to depend on God for today’s needs rather than worrying about tomorrow’s?

4. (“Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us,” 11:4) – How does praying this line together challenge the way we handle conflict or resentment within our community?

5. (“Ask… seek… knock,” 11:9) – What keeps us from praying boldly or persistently, and what would it look like to approach God with the confidence Jesus describes?

6. (“How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him,” 11:13) – When you think about God’s “best gift” being His own Spirit, how does that shape what you ask Him for and what you expect in return?