Listen for the point of the story and keep returning to it

Treat the story as interesting background and move on

Look only for hidden secrets and ignore the plain meaning

Wait for a harsher message before taking it seriously

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I come to you as one who needs mercy and truth. I admit that I have sinned and followed my own way. I turn from my sin and ask you to forgive me. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I receive you as my Lord and Savior, and I want to hear and follow your words. Amen.

Receive the One Who Speaks

Lord, revive your Church to hear Jesus when he speaks again. Make us quick to listen, humble enough to receive repeated correction, and faithful to pass on your truth in ways people can understand. Restore in us a love for your teaching, and keep us from growing dull to what is familiar. in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Our Ears

Read one of Jesus' stories slowly. Ask God to show you the main point, to reveal any resistance in your heart, and to give you one clear next step of obedience.

Pray Over a Parable

Thank God for speaking patiently, for not giving up when people need the truth again, and for teaching through stories that can reach the heart.

Thank You for Speaking Again

Pray for someone who has heard about Jesus before but still needs understanding. Ask God to open their ears, soften their heart, and draw them to respond to his words.

Open Someone's Understanding

Bring to God any habit of skimming past Jesus' words. Ask for a teachable spirit, a slower pace, and a heart that returns to his teaching until it shapes you.

Keep Me Teachable

Καὶ{KE###KEH###(And)} ἀποκριθεὶς{a-po-kri-THEES###ah-poh-kree-THEES###answering} ὁ{ho###hoh###(the)} Ἰησοῦς{ee-ee-SOOS###ee-ee-SOOS###Jesus} πάλιν{PA-lin###PAH-lihn###again} εἶπεν{EE-pen###EE-pehn###(He) said} ⸂ἐν{en###ehn###in} παραβολαῖς{pa-ra-vo-LES###pah-rah-voh-LEHS###parables} αὐτοῖς⸃{af-TEES###ahf-TEES###to them} λέγων·{LE-gon###LEH-gohn###saying}

Matthew 22:1 — Source TextTAB

More on this verse