⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; ⁶ a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ ⁷ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ ⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity^[a] he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.^(A)

¹⁴ They all joined together constantly in prayer,^(A) along with the women^(B) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.^(C)

¹⁰ in my prayers at all times;^(A) and I pray that now at last by God’s will^(B) the way may be opened for me to come to you.^(C)

¹² Be joyful in hope,^(A) patient in affliction,^(B) faithful in prayer.^(C)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(A) on all occasions^(B) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(C) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(D) for all the Lord’s people.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(A) being watchful and thankful.

¹⁷ pray continually,^(A)