Monthly Women's Devotional
Recipe for Prayer
Is there a “perfect” recipe for prayer? Depending on whom you ask, the answer might be a resounding yes, and it’s found in Jesus’ model prayer in Mt. 6:9-13 (commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer). However, others might say it’s found in Peter’s “straight to the point” prayer in Mt. 14:30, where he cried out in desperation, “Lord, save me!” While we’re making a list, we mustn’t leave out Paul’s life-changing “transformational” prayers, and who wouldn’t agree that David’s powerful faith-filled prayers in the book of Psalms are indeed worthy of our attention? Some might even claim that their grandma, mom, dad, pastor, or mentor prayed the best prayers. Incidentally, the common denominator found in all the above-mentioned choices is a heartfelt desire to personally communicate with our God, the Creator of all things (Gen 1:1; Neh. 9:6; & Rev. 4:11).
Ultimately, a genuine heartfelt prayer of any kind is “perfect.” If we approach the throne of God in humility while giving Him all honor and glory, we don’t have to worry about a secret formula or “recipe.” God knows our hearts (Ps. 139:1) and He knows what we need before we even ask (Mt. 6:8); therefore, the pressure is off, allowing us to talk with Him freely. Jesus’ example of spending much time alone with God in prayer shows us that praying often to the Father is good and desirable.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he urges God’s people to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18). So, what does it mean to “pray in the Spirit?” It means that we are to pray in the power and authority of the Spirit (Ref. Jude 20). In Romans 8:26-27, we learn that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans . . .” Praise God, I am so thankful that when I am crying out in desperation with words that are haphazardly spoken, I can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is mediating on my behalf to the Father with eloquence and purpose.
Recipes that are handed down to us become our own when we add a little of our own “flair.” Similarly, as we glean from our Biblical heroes’ prayers and add what’s in our hearts, that’s when it becomes our own personal prayer offered up to our Father in heaven. Prayer expresses our trust in God and helps to increase that trust as well.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious privilege of prayer, and may we take advantage of that privilege often. Lord, soften our hearts and perk our spiritual ears to your Spirit’s promptings as we pray. May we be poured out like a drink offering to use as you see fit for your honor and glory. Let us be a light in our world, and may we share your love with every person we communicate with this week. We love you and seek you with all our hearts. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
Trish Gibb
Is there a “perfect” recipe for prayer? Depending on whom you ask, the answer might be a resounding yes, and it’s found in Jesus’ model prayer in Mt. 6:9-13 (commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer). However, others might say it’s found in Peter’s “straight to the point” prayer in Mt. 14:30, where he cried out in desperation, “Lord, save me!” While we’re making a list, we mustn’t leave out Paul’s life-changing “transformational” prayers, and who wouldn’t agree that David’s powerful faith-filled prayers in the book of Psalms are indeed worthy of our attention? Some might even claim that their grandma, mom, dad, pastor, or mentor prayed the best prayers. Incidentally, the common denominator found in all the above-mentioned choices is a heartfelt desire to personally communicate with our God, the Creator of all things (Gen 1:1; Neh. 9:6; & Rev. 4:11).
Ultimately, a genuine heartfelt prayer of any kind is “perfect.” If we approach the throne of God in humility while giving Him all honor and glory, we don’t have to worry about a secret formula or “recipe.” God knows our hearts (Ps. 139:1) and He knows what we need before we even ask (Mt. 6:8); therefore, the pressure is off, allowing us to talk with Him freely. Jesus’ example of spending much time alone with God in prayer shows us that praying often to the Father is good and desirable.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he urges God’s people to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph. 6:18). So, what does it mean to “pray in the Spirit?” It means that we are to pray in the power and authority of the Spirit (Ref. Jude 20). In Romans 8:26-27, we learn that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans . . .” Praise God, I am so thankful that when I am crying out in desperation with words that are haphazardly spoken, I can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is mediating on my behalf to the Father with eloquence and purpose.
Recipes that are handed down to us become our own when we add a little of our own “flair.” Similarly, as we glean from our Biblical heroes’ prayers and add what’s in our hearts, that’s when it becomes our own personal prayer offered up to our Father in heaven. Prayer expresses our trust in God and helps to increase that trust as well.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the precious privilege of prayer, and may we take advantage of that privilege often. Lord, soften our hearts and perk our spiritual ears to your Spirit’s promptings as we pray. May we be poured out like a drink offering to use as you see fit for your honor and glory. Let us be a light in our world, and may we share your love with every person we communicate with this week. We love you and seek you with all our hearts. I pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
Trish Gibb
