Every job has tools. Baking a cake calls for a bowl, spoon or mixer, and an oven. Building a fence takes a saw, hammer, nails, level, and maybe even a post driver. Painting a house requires paint, brushes, a ladder, and perhaps some scaffolding. Prayer is no different. My TEA CUPP Prayers is about giving ladies tools to pray with Jesus each day.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)
There is no right way to pray to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. But My TEA CUPP Prayers will help you get started so you can spend time with Him in your own special way. Let’s unpack the toolbox and see what we might need…
- A Bible to read and let Jesus speak to us first.
- A bookmark list of prayer requests.
- A hymnal to sing praises to God.
- A journal to record our prayers.
- A pen to write those prayers.
- A teacup or mug of your favorite beverage.
- A quiet spot for just you and Jesus.
As you sit in your quiet spot, sipping your morning mug, open your Bible (the Psalms, or Genesis, or John are good places to begin). Read a chapter or two and let God speak to your heart. Underline your favorite verses and use those verses as conversation starters as you pour your heart out to Jesus in prayer. You can write the verse in your prayer journal and then add to it all you want to share with the Lord. You’ll find some verses are good for telling God, “Thanks.” I like to mark those with a “T” in my Bible. Some verses are good for exalting or praising Jesus. I mark those with an “E” in my Bible.” Some verses are good for admitting our sins. Those I mark with an “A” in my Bible. And I keep going with the CUPP for Calling, Understanding, Promises, and Petitions. You can pray all the parts each day or just one part a day, depending on the verses you underline. Soon you will have a prayer routine that is just right for you and Jesus.
If you lose your toolbox or forget to bring it with you, remember, you can still pray! Strip away the quiet spot, and you just pray amidst the chaos. Remove the hot drink, and you find yourself drinking Living Water. Lose the pen and journal, and you pour your heart out with your voice. Forget the hymnal, and you sing new songs to the Lord of your own. Misplace your prayer list bookmark, and pray for whomever God puts upon your heart. Hide your Bible and it’s just you and Jesus (but you best find it for next time!).
A dear lady in my Bible study group earnestly shared one Wednesday morning, “It doesn’t matter what words you use to pray. God knows your heart and hears your prayers. You can’t make your prayer any better with more words or fancier words. Just pray your heart.” This stuck with me from that day forward. It doesn’t matter if I do the entire TEA CUPP or just part of it, or write my prayers, or say them aloud, or use clever words, or simple words…God hears all my prayers. And when I’m at a loss for words, His Word, the Bible, gives me all the words I need to keep on praying.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
Today’s TEA CUPP: My dear friend, it’s time to pack your toolbox so you are ready to pray! Find everything you need and lay it out for tomorrow morning. Set your alarm for 5 a.m., get up, fill your morning mug, be amazed at what God will do with your prayer time.
If you enjoyed this devotion, you might also like to read Prayer Journal How-tos and My Jesus Spot and How to Get Started with Your Jesus Tea.