Bonjour! Stephanie here. I invite you through this new Gospel Spice series to embrace the French language and culture for a fresh explosion of faith! Join me to experience the beauty of Scripture in French, transcending linguistic barriers to explore the depths of faith and intimacy with God.

Journey with me through Scripture, in French, even if you are completely unfamiliar with the language. This unusual approach aims to deepen the understanding of Scripture beyond its literal translation, incorporating the essence of French culture, literature, and gastronomy to enrich the spiritual experience. By unpacking Scripture through the lens of French language and culture, the series aims to reveal unexpected facets of Jesus and his teachings, inspiring you to approach your faith with newfound vigor.

Note | You are invited to go deeper by using our extensive digital book that includes, for each of our 12 episodes in the series, a listening guide, questions to ponder, key takeaways and key quotes, topics to go deeper, and more. Go to gospelspice.com/french for the details and to download a free sample.

Intriguingly, the French word for "delight" encompasses both delight and deliciousness, offering a deeper, more nuanced perspective. This linguistic treasure serves as a metaphor for the multifaceted journey that awaits us in this series, promising to uncover the richness of faith akin to a sumptuous feast. Step by step, together we will experience the layers of faith encapsulated within the French language. Our goal is simple, yet profound: together, let’s foster a profound sense of joy and fulfillment in our spiritual walk!

Over the next three months, each episode of the series will focus on a French word or expression to draw out deeper intimacy with Jesus, encouraging prayer, reflection, and introspection. The series aims to not only aid in understanding who Jesus is and what he has done for each one of us; it will also provide insights into who we are in his eyes and the purpose to which we are called in our lives.

The series is not confined to mere listening. You are offered the opportunity to embark on a comprehensive spiritual journey through the accompanying guidebook. These resources contain listening guides, thought-provoking questions, recommended research topics, key takeaways, and sections designed for deep reflection and journaling. The experience can be pursued individually, with friends, or in a small group. You choose how you experience your journey!

In this episode, I introduce the concept of RSVP, drawing parallels between the nuanced French expression and spiritual invitations. Just as "repondez s'il vous plait" signifies a polite request for a response, so does God tenderly coax forth the depths of our being, seeking our earnest reply. So, consider how you will RSVP to God's invitations! Consider virtues of surrender, trust, and openness in embracing His guidance.

Drawing from Jesus' example in the beatitudes, let’s enter an introspective exploration of how we respond to God's invitations. Consider the abundance of blessings in various circumstances, inspiring a deeper gratitude and understanding of our divine calling. Reflect on Jesus' invitation to count your blessings, so that you will experience a profound shift in perspective and appreciation for the grace you have received.

As the series unfolds, we invite you on an in-depth exploration of your faith through language and culture. From uncovering the depths of the French language to embracing God's invitations through a Christ-like response, the journey promises to kindle in your heart a fresh passion for faith and an unwavering love for Christ. So, embrace the beauty of hope, love, and joy, responding to God's call with a resounding "oui" – a wholehearted and joyous affirmation of faith, reverence, and surrender.

We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with.

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

Identity in the battle | Ephesians

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/

Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/

Shades of Red | Against human oppression

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/

God's glory, our delight 

https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/

 

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So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions:

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4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you!

Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog

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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