God's Call to a Life of Prayer

How We Learn to Pray from Thirst, Not Obligation

Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: January 11, 2026

Prayer was never meant to be obligation or performance—it’s a place of intimacy, not approval. Kicking off our Deeper series, Pastor Lee Cummings shares a message on the heart of prayer and how we grow in intimacy with God through the secret place.

Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:

Day 1: The Thirst of the Soul

Reading: Psalm 42:1–5

Like a deer searching for water in a dry land, our souls were created to thirst for God alone. This longing is not a flaw—it is evidence of how we were designed. Too often, we try to satisfy this thirst with temporary things: achievements, distractions, relationships, or routines. But none of these can truly fill what only God can. Today, simply acknowledge the thirst within you. Stop striving to satisfy your soul with substitutes. Return to the living water. God is not hiding from you—He is waiting for you in the secret place, ready to meet you.

Day 2: God Desires You More

Reading: John 4:7–14

The Gospel reveals a powerful truth: God does not merely tolerate you—He desires you. Jesus initiated the conversation with the woman at the well, showing us that God always moves first. When we come to Him, we discover He has already been waiting. Prayer is not about convincing God to care. It is responding to a loving Father who invites us into relationship. Let go of performance and religious pressure. God is not after polished prayers; He wants your real heart. Even your simplest, most honest prayer brings Him joy.

Day 3: Dropping the Masks

Reading: Matthew 6:5–8

Jesus warns us against approaching prayer with false coverings—praying out of routine without heart, treating God casually without reverence, or coming in fear and shame. God is not looking for impressive words or perfect posture. He is looking for honest children who know their Father. You don’t need special language to be heard. You don’t need to clean yourself up before coming to Him. Your weakness does not disqualify you—it invites you closer. When you enter the secret place, remember this: God arrived first. He is waiting with love, not disappointment.

Day 4: God Is Already There

Reading: Romans 11:33–36; Ephesians 3:14–19

In prayer, we are never the first to arrive. God is already present. We are not reaching for a distant God or trying to get heaven’s attention—we are stepping into depths where our Father is already calling us deeper. As we draw near, His presence begins to reshape us. Fear loses its grip. Independence fades. False security erodes. Prayer becomes less about asking for things and more about knowing Him. The greatest reward of the secret place is not answers—it is intimacy.

Day 5: Launch Out Into the Deep

Reading: Luke 5:1–11

Peter had done everything right and still came up empty—until Jesus told him to go deeper. In those deep waters, everything changed. Nets broke. Boats sank. And Peter encountered the holiness and power of God in a way that transformed him forever. God is inviting you deeper—not by striving harder, but by trusting His word. Don’t settle for shallow moments with Him. Step into the depths of prayer, worship, and His presence. Let His waves wash over you. What you’ll find there will be far greater than anything you could produce on your own.