“Prayer is not for the purpose of getting God to help us… but for getting us in line with what God is about to do. Prayer is God’s invitation to enter His throne room so He can lay His agenda over our hearts.”
Henry Blackaby, Experiencing Prayer With Jesus, p. 29.
Each day’s devotional will guide us through a prayer during the life of Jesus – either prayed by someone in His close circle of relationships, or more likely, directly from His own heart. During these 21 Days, our whole church will be reflecting and meditating on these same prayers together, with one mind, guided by and depending on one Spirit.
Each devotion will take less than ten minutes of your time.
- We will Engage the Word – looking at a time of prayer in the life of Jesus.
- We will Connect the Heart – considering a truth that is applicable to our lives.
- We will Reflect on the Truth, asking a number of questions each day that invite us to look and listen with intent.
- And we will Depend on the Spirit – We will pray, for it is in praying that we learn to pray. And it is in praying that the Spirit changes our hearts.
We want to encourage you to grab a journal or a notebook – something to write on as you walk through each prayer guide or devotional. Yes, it will add a few minutes to the time it takes to do the devotion, and it will also deepen your experience and shape your walk with God for years to come. This journal or notebook will be a keepsake to remind you of God’s faithfulness during this challenging season for all of us.
Engage the Word
Luke 1:46-55
46 And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”
Connect the Heart
Mary was carrying the Messiah, the Promised One, in her womb and knew from her encounter with the Angel Gabriel that the birth of this child would change everything. Through Him would come the fulfillment of every Old Testament prophecy and promise, forgiveness of sins and redemption for all mankind. Her response in prayer and praise in this “Magnificat” reflects a heart that loves God deeply and wants what He wants.
Reflect on the Truth
1. How is your heart – your words, your actions, your motivations – aligning with Mary’s in this prayer?
2. Mary’s prayer reflects a heart of devotion that is a model for us. Turn your heart now to God in the same way. You might even pray some of her exact words – in essence, praying scripture back to God (a good habit to have).
Depend on the Spirit
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the deeper longings, desires or motives in your heart that those thoughts are pointing to. (For example: you may write down, “I want to magnify and rejoice in you in the same way – though my present difficulties are making that hard right now.”) The Lord can help us discern the path forward – through His word, His Spirit, His people.
We need to start every prayer we pray with the question, “God, what are you asking from me today?” and then listening for Him to speak through His Holy Spirit. We need our marching orders, on a regular basis, and have our listening ears tuned to His voice.
Thanks, Dave. So true. Good thoughts.