Every other month, our United Methodist Women in Faith meet for a Prayer Breakfast. It’s become one of our favorite parts of church life. There’s coffee, good food, and the kind of laughter that comes when friends gather around a table. But the heart of the morning never changes.
One of our activities is to ask one question and formulate a blog post based on the answers. The most recent question was a good one: “If you could have breakfast with one person from the Bible to talk with about prayer, who would you choose?”
It was good to see everyone pause and think about a question like that. You can almost see the participants remembering stories from Scripture and imagining what it would be like to sit with those people.
Most people chose Jesus, which makes sense. Who wouldn’t want to sit with the One who taught us how to pray? He often went off alone to be with His Father. He prayed all night before choosing His disciples, prayed in the garden when He was hurting, and even prayed for us from the Cross. When His followers saw Him pray, they didn’t ask Him to teach them to preach or heal. They said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). If you could have breakfast with anyone about prayer, He’s the obvious choice.
But the other answers were meaningful too, and each one says something about the person who picked it.
Some people chose Peter, which also makes sense. Peter was the disciple who tried, failed, spoke too soon, and sank when he lost focus on Jesus. If you’ve ever felt like your prayers are awkward or your faith is shaky, Peter would be a great breakfast companion. He would get it.
Someone picked Matthew, the tax collector who left everything to follow Jesus. Another chose John, the disciple who leaned close to Jesus and later saw heaven opened. Someone else picked Mary, who treasured God’s promises and thought about them deeply. Each of them saw Jesus up close, and I imagine they’d have a lot to share over breakfast.
Some other choices were just as delightful. Someone picked Enoch, a saint who truly knew what it meant to walk with God. Scripture says, “Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). He didn’t just meet with God sometimes. He walked with Him every day until that walk led straight into Heaven. I wonder what it would be like to ask Enoch how to live that way.
Deborah was also mentioned. She was the judge and prophet who led bravely and trusted God even when things seemed impossible. Moses was suggested, the man who spoke with God face to face like a friend and wasn’t afraid to be honest about his struggles. Someone else picked Noah, who kept building and believing even when everyone thought he was crazy.
As these answers were shared, they helped us realize something. Everyone mentioned, with the exception of Jesus, learned to pray the same way we do. Not by knowing everything or being perfect, but by showing up. They walked with God through normal days and tough times. They talked to Him honestly and listened for His voice.
Here’s the encouraging part that we should keep thinking about. We don’t have to wait for a special moment to sit down and talk with God about prayer. The table is already set, right now, today. The invitation is open to all of us.
You don’t need perfect words. You don’t need a degree or a flawless record. Peter didn’t have those things. Neither did Moses. You just need to take a seat. God isn’t waiting for you to impress Him. He’s waiting for you to come close.
So maybe the real gift of that question wasn’t choosing the perfect person from the Bible. Maybe it was remembering that the God they prayed to is the same God listening to you today. The God who walked with Enoch walks with you. The God who met Moses is ready to meet you.
The coffee is ready. The chair is waiting. God is already at the table.
Why not join Him today?
Our Prayer Breakfast gatherings provide a sacred space for women and students to connect, learn, and put their faith into action. We warmly invite you to join us on this meaningful journey, strengthening our relationships with God and one another.