Start Right Where You Are

“Begin where you are.” These four unassuming words, nestled in Letters to Malcolm by C.S. Lewis, offer a surprisingly transformative approach to prayer. In a world where prayers can feel either hollow or hyper-spiritualized, Lewis calls us back to a balanced, biblical path one that acknowledges both our real, earthly needs and our deeper spiritual longings.

Too often, our prayer lives are distorted by one of two errors. The first is worldly prayer, where we seek God solely for earthly provision as if He were our personal assistant. The second is false spirituality, where we shy away from asking God for anything tangible, believing only spiritual petitions are truly pleasing to Him.

But Scripture and Jesus Himself presents a better way. One that welcomes both gratitude for the warmth of a morning coffee and reverence for the mystery of redemption. And it begins right where you are.

The Danger of Worldly Prayer

Jesus warned against prayers that echo the unbelieving world. In Matthew 6:7–8, He cautioned against piling up words in an attempt to manipulate God. And later, in verses 31–32, He warns against anxious cravings for material needs, reminding us that the Gentiles seek such things.

Here’s the subtle danger: when our prayers mimic the fears and desires of those who don’t know God, we reduce prayer to a tool of control rather than communion. Our heavenly Father becomes a means to an end, not the end Himself.

Yet Jesus didn’t tell us to ignore our needs He simply taught us not to be anxious or manipulative about them. He reminded us that our Father knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8).

The Trap of False Spirituality

On the flip side, many believers, in their desire to avoid self-centered prayer, fall into a different trap. They begin to believe that only prayers for spiritual growth, sanctification, or kingdom advancement are acceptable to God.

Of course, these are noble and necessary prayers. But to say they are the only acceptable prayers is to deny the full breadth of biblical teaching. After all, Jesus explicitly instructed us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). David prayed for protection from enemies. The psalmists cried out for healing, help, and justice. Their prayers were raw, real, and often very earthly.

The danger of false spirituality isn’t in praying spiritual prayers it’s in pretending that we don’t need God in our daily, tangible lives. When we skip over the very real needs pressing on us, we disconnect from the intimacy of a Father who cares about every part of our being body, soul, and spirit.

Gratitude Begins with the Tangible

If you struggle to connect emotionally with spiritual truths like the doctrine of justification or the concept of God’s holiness Lewis’s advice is especially helpful: start with what’s right in front of you.

Can’t stir your heart to adore God’s character? Begin with something simple: the softness of your favorite sweater, the sweetness of fresh strawberries, the laughter of your child. Notice these joys, then trace them back to their source: “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).

C.S. Lewis wrote, “Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy.” Likewise, the sweetness of a morning moment can teach you more about God’s goodness than a textbook definition. These pleasures are patches of Godlight, invitations to chase the sunbeam back to the source.

“Thank you, Lord, for warm socks, for smooth wood, for laughter and coffee and the purr of my cat.” That’s not trivial. That’s the beginning of worship.

Honest Requests, Not Empty Phrases

We’ve all been there praying for something spiritual we don’t really want in hopes that God will give us what we do want. We disguise our desires in holy language, hoping God will reward our piety with provision.

But this isn’t faith it’s pretense. Jesus never asked us to perform for Him. He asked us to be honest, because our Father already knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8).

Do you need a job? Ask for it. Do you want a spouse? Tell Him. Do you long for healing, peace, rest, joy, clarity? Speak it plainly. There’s no shame in asking for daily bread. That’s the kind of prayer Jesus taught us.

And as you offer these requests, trust that God will refine them. Sometimes He’ll give us exactly what we ask for. Sometimes He’ll change our hearts. Either way, honest prayers keep us close to the One who cares.

From Earthly Bread to Heavenly Bread

Jesus didn’t stop with “give us this day our daily bread.” That prayer is nestled within a larger vision: “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” We ask for what we need, but we ask it as citizens of a greater kingdom. The bread we seek is not just for survival it’s for the journey.

Over time, the practice of honest, earthly prayer matures into deeper, spiritual longing. Our hunger for bread gives way to hunger for the Bread of Life. We begin to seek not just provision, but the Provider Himself.

The Kindness of a Father

The thread tying all of this together is simple but profound: God is a good Father.

He isn’t impressed by long-winded eloquence. He isn’t scandalized by your earthy requests. He isn’t impatient with your weak prayers. He simply wants you to come to begin where you are.

And when you do, He meets you there. Not just with answers, but with Himself.

Jesus said, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)

So begin where you are. With your daily needs. With your ordinary joys. With your honest fears. And let those prayers lift your heart into deeper trust, fuller gratitude, and richer communion with the One who gives all good things.

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