The Missing Ingredient

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Pray Without Ceasing | 0 comments

Recently, I made a breakfast casserole for my daughter’s birthday. As I followed the recipe, I thought I had shopped carefully for all the ingredients. However, I realized I was missing one ingredient: hash browns. 

I must clarify that when I checked my freezer for the ingredients, I mistook a bag of shoestring french fries for hash browns. So what did I do? I mashed the fries into hash browns. 

Thankfully, no one noticed, but I wondered if this substitution or missing ingredient changed the taste or texture. Everyone in my family seemed to enjoy it, but I knew it wasn’t the “OG.” (That’s slang for original gangster.)

So, where am I going with this example? 

I have committed to waking up early and starting my day by reading scriptures and praying. What happens when I leave out this important ingredient of my spiritual life? Usually, I notice a difference in my day. 

I realize it isn’t necessarily the day, but rather my mindset for handling whatever comes my way. Do I become more anxious and less patient? Am I reflecting on the Lord’s goodness? 

When I begin my day with prayer, it is easy to say no to being anxious and yes to reflecting on the Lord’s goodness. 

When I choose to substitute scripture reading and prayer with sleep or something else that takes my time, I don’t get the same result. 

This scripture even teaches us to have a place to pray: “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Mathew 6:6)

This scripture even promises a bonus or reward. 

Changing the important ingredient of prayer or substituting it with something material is like changing my recipe. In a desperate measure, I may take a shortcut. Thank the Lord for His grace and mercy that ceases to be a shortcut or workaround. 

The scriptures and prayer are the perfect ingredients to the recipe called life.

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Further Reading

Don’t Underestimate Prayer

https://youtu.be/o_zyFRxuw_k Before I was baptized and turned my life over to God, I couldn’t keep a job. I have had at least nine jobs over the past eight years, and most of them only lasted a few months. Some a few weeks. A couple no more than a few days.  I...

Read More

Drop the Blanket

Do these words sound familiar? “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” Quietly and confidently, Linus says, “Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about.” Then Linus walks to the center of the stage with the lights shining...

Read More

Never Miss a New Article

Subscribe to Our Email List
Sign up and get every new blog post sent straight to your inbox so you always have the day’s devotional at your fingertips.

We never share your email address with anyone for any reason, and we use it only to send you Gospel Blog emails. Just articles, not ads!

Your Story for God’s Glory

Share Your Testimony on Miracle Monday

We devote Miracle Monday to sharing miracle stories. From finding a lost wedding ring to healing cancer on the spot, Jesus Christ has done it all, big and small.

And we want to hear about what He’s done for you.

The Gospel Blog Is Open for Submissions

We encourage devotional-style or scripture-based articles in the ballpark of 500 words. We are open to any topic that glorifies God and unites the Church.