Introduction

We are so glad you are joining us for these daily prayer posts. Over the next four weeks we are going to listen to the prayers of the Bible, and the saints of God. Their prayers are going to teach us how to pray.

Each devotion will take five to seven minutes of your time.

1. We will look at an insight from those who know something important about prayer.
2. We will listen to the prayers of people in the Bible—people just like us. And to people who gained a deep measure of spiritual intimacy with God because they prayed.
3. We will reflect, asking the same four questions each day that invites us to look and listen with intent.
4. And we will pray, for it is in praying that we learn to pray. And it is in praying that the Spirit changes our hearts.

May we encourage you to grab a notebook, a journal, something to write on as you do each prayer guide. 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.

Look

Prayer is the act of seeing reality from God’s point of view.

Phillip Yancey

Listen

Imagine waiting your whole life for a promise from God to come true. Old Simeon had heard God tell him he would not die before seeing the long-promised Messiah with his own eyes. Shortly after Jesus was born, His parents brought Him to the temple for the purification rite and the Holy Spirit nudged Simeon: “This is the one.” Simeon took Jesus in his arms and prayed:

Luke 2:29-32

²⁹ “Lord, now you are letting your servant^[a] depart in peace,
    according to your word;
³⁰ for my eyes have seen your salvation
³¹     that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
³² a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and for glory to your people Israel.”

Reflect

1. Having read the Word, sit silently for a minute and give God’s Word a moment to settle within you.
2. Re-read the verses slowly and write down some thoughts that resonate with you.
3. Ask the 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, “Simeon knew he could now depart in peace.” The Spirit can help us see that deep within us, we all long for this kind of peace – the wholeness and completion that comes when God fulfills His promises.)
4. How does Simeon’s prayer help you express your gratitude for the way God has been faithful to His promises in your life?

Pray

Think about some of the promises your eyes have already seen God fulfill, and some of the promises you are still waiting for. Using Simeon’s prayer as a guide, thank God for His faithfulness to His Word, and express your desire for Him to bring all His promises to fulfillment.