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Jesus invites us to approach God the way a child approaches his or her daddy. And how do children approach their daddies? When a five-year-old spots his father in the parking lot, how does he react? “Yippee!” was screamed by a red-headed boy wearing a Batman backpack. “Pop! Over here! Push me!” yelled by a boy wearing a Boston Red Sox cap who scooted straight to the swings.

Here’s what I didn’t hear: “Father, it is most gracious of thee to drive thy car to my place of education. Please know of my deep gratitude for your benevolence. For thou art splendid in thy attentive care and diligent in thy dedication.”

I heard kids who were happy to see their dads and eager to speak to him. God invites us to approach him in the same manner. What a relief!

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

Jesus downplayed the importance of words in prayers. We tend to do the opposite—the more words the better. We emphasize the appropriate prayer language, the latest prayer trend, the holiest prayer terminology. Against all this emphasis on syllables and rituals, Jesus says in Matthew 6:7, “Don’t ramble like heathens who talk a lot.”

There’s no panel of angelic judges with numbered cards. “Wow, Lucado, that prayer was a ten. God will certainly hear you!” or “Oh, Lucado, you scored a two this morning. Go home and practice.” Prayers aren’t graded according to style. If prayer depends on how I pray, I’m sunk. But if the power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer, then I have hope.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

Religious leaders loved to make theater out of their prayers. The show nauseated Jesus. In Matthew 6:6 he said, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.”

The words surely stunned Jesus’ audience. The people were simple farmers and stonemasons.  They couldn’t enter the temple, but they could enter their closets. The point? He’s low on fancy, high on accessibility. You needn’t woo him with location or wow him with eloquence. It’s the power of a simple prayer.

Join me every day for four weeks to pray four minutes. A simple prayer. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

In Matthew 6, Jesus prayed, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

A prayer that begins May I not view you as a distant father, but as one who has come to earth and understands the challenges and temptations of my life. Be near me today, whisper reminders that you’re close. My friends need you today as they make difficult decisions in their workplace and in their families. Show them you are closer than even their earthly fathers. Thank you for hearing me and listening to my pleas. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray this, amen.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

Prayer really is simple. Resist the urge to complicate it. Don’t take pride in well-crafted prayers. Don’t apologize for incoherent prayers. No games, no cover-up, just be honest. Honest to God.

Climb into his lap, tell him everything that is on your heart. Or, tell him nothing at all. Just lift your heart to heaven and declare “Father, Daddy.”  Stress, fear, guilt, grief.  Demands on all sides. All we can summon is a plaintive, “Oh Father.” If so, that’s enough. Your Heavenly Father will wrap you in his arms.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

We prayer wimps fear mis-praying. What’s the expected etiquette and dress code of prayer? What if we kneel instead of stand?  Jesus’ answer is in  Matthew 18:3 when he says, “Become as little children.”  Carefree.  Joy filled. Playful. Trusting.  Curious. Trust more—strut less.

God prefers this greeting:  “God, you are my Daddy, and I am your child!” It’s hard to show off and call God “Daddy” at the same time.  Impossible, in fact. Remember, prayer doesn’t depend on how you pray.  The power of prayer depends on the One who hears the prayer.

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

I’m a card-carrying member of the PWA.  “Prayer Wimps Anonymous.” Can you relate?  We pray.  We pray to stay sober, centered, and solvent. We pray when the lump is deemed malignant, when the money runs out before the month does.

We all pray some but wouldn’t we like to pray more?  Like the disciples, when they ask Jesus, “Teach us to pray.” Teach us to find strength in prayer, to banish fear in prayer.  Prayer is simply a heartfelt conversation between God and you.  A prayer as simple as this one: “Father you are good.  I need help, heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you in Jesus name.”

Every day for four weeks. Pray four minutes and then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

This much is sure:  God will teach you to pray. Don’t think for a minute that he’s glaring at you from a distance with crossed arms and a scowl, waiting for you to get your prayer life together.  Just the opposite! In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with Me.”

Jesus waits on the porch.  He taps…and calls. He waits for you to open the door. To pray is the hand of faith on the door handle of your heart. The happy welcome to Jesus: “Come in, O King.  Come in. The kitchen is messy, but come in. I’m not much of a conversationalist, but come in.”

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer! God changes His people through such moments.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

Before amen—comes the power of a simple prayer!  Jesus set a compelling prayer example. He prayed before He ate.  He prayed for children.  He prayed for the sick.  He prayed with thanks.  With tears. He had made the planets and shaped the stars, yet He prayed.

Here’s a prayer for us today! “Father, you’ve made me your child through your Spirit. In your kindness you have adopted me and delivered me from sin and death. Remind me today what it means to be your child.  It’s so easy for me to live every day on my own terms. Help me live it in light of your grace.  Thank you for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same.  In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Here’s my challenge for you! Every day for 4 weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before!

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Listen to Today's Devotion

We are never without hope because we are never without prayer. Prayer confesses, “God can handle it, and since he can, I have hope!” When we pray in the name of Jesus, we come to God on the basis of Jesus’ accomplishment. The Scripture says, “Since we have such a great high priest [Jesus] over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:21-22).

Some people say, “Prayer changes things because it changes us.” I agree, but only in part. Prayer changes things because prayer appeals to the top power in the universe. It is the yes to God’s invitation to invoke his name. Prayer moves the world because prayer moves the heart of God.

Read more God Is with You Every Day

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.