Stephanie delves deeper into Jesus' question of "Have you here anything to eat?" and how it invites us to perceive and know Him more deeply. One possible answer to His question is today's statement, "I believe, Lord, overcome my unbelief!" Stephanie reflects on the challenge of waiting for answers in prayer and the power of true, humble prayer. She tackles deep topics like self-awareness, humility, and weakness, reflecting on her own experiences with chronic pain and broken relationships. Together, she invites us to emphasize the importance of acknowledging weakness and surrendering to God. Additionally, she provides insight on Tim Keller's famous statement that it is better to have a weak faith in a strong Christ than a strong faith in a weak Christ, and how true faith comes from God's invitation to grow within us. She also discusses the power of true prayer and how it requires confession, humility, and surrender to God.
In this episode, we cover the following topics, and more:
- The true meaning of Jesus' question "Have you here anything to eat?"
- Perception and knowing Jesus more truly
- The density and reality of Jesus' glorified body
- Overcoming unbelief with self-awareness, humility, and ambition
- Acknowledging weakness to allow God to make Himself strong through us
- The challenge of waiting for answers in prayer- Power of true prayer: confession, repentance, humility, and surrender to God
- Importance of having a weak faith in a strong Christ
- True faith coming from God's intervention to plant, water, and grow the seed of faith in us
- Daring to disassociate from public opinion and choose Jesus, trusting Him to sort out mixed motives
BONUS CONTENT | QUESTIONS TO GO DEEPER, on your own or with a friend
1. How does Stephanie Rousselle relate to the story of the desperate father seeking a miracle for his sick child?
2. In what ways do you struggle with belief and doubt, and how have you sought to overcome your unbelief?
3. How can acknowledging our weakness help us to draw closer to God and experience His strength in our lives?
4. What are some of the challenges of waiting for answers in prayer, and how can we maintain faith and hope during these times?
5. Why is prayer important, and what are some of the key elements of true prayer that Stephanie emphasizes?
6. How might we cultivate humility, vulnerability, and honesty in our relationship with God through prayer?
7. What are some of the benefits of choosing Jesus even when we have mixed motives or face opposition from others?
8. What role does self-awareness and ambition play in nurturing our faith and relationship with God?
9. How might we apply the concept of faith being a seed that God plants, waters, and grows in our own lives?
10. What steps might we take to live out our faith in a way that invites the world around us to experience the love and truth of Jesus?
This series is an invitation to immerse yourself in the various ways God communicates to us, and us to Him. So pay attention, He is here and willing to whisper in your ear.
A word of caution: don’t come to Scripture with the agenda of finding yourself there. Right now we are going to take Scripture in. Like breathing, like eating, like smelling a flower. Don’t come to Scripture with the agenda of finding yourself there. Come with the firm intention of discovering God instead. And then Scripture will never disappoint. God promises to be found in the places where He dwells – His Word especially. And in the process, you will undoubtedly find yourself as you find Him. So as we enter the hallowed pages of Scripture together, through a humble doorway and a very simple story, ask yourself: what is this telling me about Jesus?
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You are invited to join us on the Gospel Spice Prayer Bible Study, titled "The heart behind prayer" starting September 20, 2025! Details and registration here: https://www.gospelspice.com/prayer
There are a few things in our Christian life that we know we should do more, or at least better – and prayer just might top the list. Prayer is a mystery. Why would a conversation with a human have any influence on God’s eternal, sovereign plan? It defies logic, and beckons love. How can God, the Almighty Lord of Hosts, be this close, this personal? It defies understanding, and beckons involvement.
But, lack of time, inspiration, and discipline, combined with the ruthless tyranny of our busy lives, push prayer to the periphery, to the “one day I’ll get to it” pile. And yet, we can excel at what we endeavor to undertake. So, why isn’t prayer more of a spiritual priority? Could we develop a mindset around prayer that made it attractive, inspiring, even maybe delightful? What if we attuned our spiritual ears to listen to God, and our spiritual eyes to see His provision?
As an unassuming student, I’m going to humbly offer to share the little I have learned from others about the joy of prayer. I will give us theology, practical tips, and useful resources, sharing what works for me as we, together, learn to pray.
If you find prayer intimidating, or if your lack of prayer makes you feel guilty or “less than,” then this is the place for you! If you have been a student of prayer for many years, this is the place for you too! If you have breath in your lungs, then prayer can become one of the deepest joys of your day. Don’t miss out!
A PERSPECTIVE ABOUT PRAYER
To pray is to believe that God not only hears, but that He responds. It is to stand in the gap for a broken world, wielding the authority of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, and trusting in the goodness of the Father. The question is not whether prayer works, but whether we are willing to pray the kinds of prayers that invite God’s Kingdom into the darkest places of the earth—and of our own hearts.
We may never fully understand the mechanics of prayer, or how it intersects with God's sovereignty, but we are not called to understand everything. We are called to be faithful. And faithfulness means showing up—in prayer, in persistence, in expectation.
So today, let us pray not only for the comfort of our hearts, but for the transformation of the world. Let us take our place as image-bearers, co-laborers, and co-heirs. Let us believe that God is still listening—and still acting. Because He is.
There’s only one way to find out what might happen when we truly pray like this.
Let’s begin.
THE MINDSET BEHIND THIS COURSE
Before we begin, let me tell you the obvious: I don’t really know how to pray. I’m a humble student and absolute beginner at the holy endeavor that is prayer. So, this course isn’t really about what I’ve learned, or any wisdom I might have gathered. But, I’ve sat at the feet of many prayer warriors over the decades, through books and teachings.
So, I’ll share what I learned from them. Humility is going to be our primary heart posture! With each lesson, I will offer a few thoughts, practices, and ideas – with much humility, and not taking myself too seriously. I will also share her favorite books and resources about prayer. FInally, I will introduce you to some of the most influential prayer warriors of our history as the Body of Christ.
Most importantly, I will invite YOU to pray! Learning to pray comes from praying. Our humble ambition is to inspire you to pray, and to give you a few tips on how to do that. Then, it’s up to you! Prayer is a lifelong endeavor. Let’s make it delightful together!
So, let’s get started.
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