I’ve been wrestling a LOT with the practice of prayer and finding prayer that works. There are moments when prayer comes easily, and my heart feels deeply in tune with the divine. Couple that with what appears to be answers to my prayers—I want, and we’ve got a winner.
Other seasons? My prayer life feels more like a shrug or sigh. If it’s a particularly dark time, my prayer may literally be throwing my hands up in wonder, frustration, doubt, or even fear.
But no matter the season, prayer is woven into the fabric of my life and the life of my family. We pray before meals. We pray before bed. There are whispered prayers, light prayers, heavy prayers, grateful prayers, and painful prayers. As our lives go, so go our conversations with Heaven.
The Prayer That Works Every Time
At some point, I’d love to write a more in-depth series on the purpose of prayer—how it works, what it accomplishes, and why it can feel like God is silent. But for now, let me share with you the one prayer that has never failed me.
It’s not eloquent. It’s not ancient. It’s not formulaic. But it’s powerful. Ready?
“God, please show me how I can invest in someone else today.”
That’s it.
Sometimes, before I even rise from that prayer, the answer is already present—in a person who walks into the room, a text message that appears, or an overwhelming nudge in my spirit.
Why This Prayer Works
This prayer works because it’s aligned with the heart of Jesus. When we pray in a way that aligns with His will—His unrelenting love for others, His compassion, His call to action—we step directly into the flow of God’s divine agenda.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 20:28). So when we say, “Lord, use me to serve,” we are echoing Heaven’s own heartbeat.
There are always opportunities around us:
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A mom at the grocery store, silently battling loneliness.
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A cashier holding back tears.
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A friend who seems “fine” but desperately needs to hear they’re not alone.
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A stranger who just needs a smile to remember their humanity.
Becoming the Answer
Far too often, we pray as if Heaven is a distant place we’re trying to reach, when in truth, Heaven is in us. Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
When we pray, “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven,” Jesus meant for us to become the carriers of that Kingdom. We don’t wait for the miraculous—we participate in it. We are God’s delivery system for answered prayer.
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When someone is hungry, you may be their manna.
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When someone is burdened, your hug might be their healing.
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When someone is lost, your presence may be their lighthouse.
