First Connection, Then Direction

If obedience is the mission, connection is the map. Without relationship, obedience becomes religion.

►️ Click Here to Watch On YouTube

God’s Promise for Today

John 14:15 (ESV) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

When I first started as a Christian, prayer was hard. Real hard. I grew up in a Roman Catholic home, and the only people I ever heard pray were priests. We had a few memorized prayers like the Lord’s Prayer, but no one ever taught me how to pray from the heart.

Then I walked into a Protestant church. It was beautiful, powerful, and completely overwhelming. I’ll never forget that first men’s prayer group. We met at 6 a.m. on Wednesdays. Small group. Three to six guys, depending on the week. They’d pray around the circle, sometimes more than once, led by the Spirit.

And me? I just sat there. Silent. Week after week. I didn’t pray because I didn’t know how. I was afraid of messing it up.

One Tuesday night, I made up my mind. “Tomorrow’s the day,” I told myself. I psyched myself up in the car ride over, heart pounding. But when it came to me… I froze. I was shaking, sweating, silent.

Next week came. I tried again—but this time, instead of pumping myself up, I prayed before I even got there. I asked God to help me.

And in that circle, with my leg bouncing like a jackhammer and sweat pouring off me, I whispered: “Lord…”

Long pause.

Then I remembered reading about a deep-sea fish in National Geographic the day before. It was oddly beautiful. So I said, “Lord, I’m thankful for the fish they discovered…”

Thirty seconds. That’s all I had. But I prayed. I finally prayed.

It wasn’t eloquent. It wasn’t powerful. But it was mine. And it was honest.

That’s where it started. And now, years later, I teach and talk about prayer. But I never forget that moment—that one, shaky, sweaty step of faith.

Men, if you don’t know how to pray—pray anyway.

Don’t fake it. Faith it.

We don’t need fancy words. We don’t need big, bold voices. We just need to show up, speak honestly, and trust the Holy Spirit will meet us.

Romans 8:26 (ESV) reminds us that the Spirit “helps us in our weakness… intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

If you feel weak, you’re in the perfect place to begin.

Don’t let another man’s gift intimidate you. Don’t copy someone else. Learn from them, yes—but speak to God in your own way.

Galatians 1:10 (ESV) asks: “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”

Speak to your Father, not to impress your brothers.

Short prayers aren’t weak prayers. Jesus warned against long, showy prayers. He even said:

Matthew 6:7 (ESV) “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases… for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”

I carry a short, powerful prayer every day: Yeshua HaMashiach — Jesus the Messiah. I whisper it. I shout it. I think it. I say it before bed and first thing in the morning. It centers me. It brings me back to the truth that I am not in control—He is.

That kind of prayer cuts deep. It’s a sword.

Ephesians 6:17 (ESV) calls the Word of God “the sword of the Spirit.”

We often talk about obedience in Christian life—and rightly so. It matters. But let me say this:

Obedience is not the starting point. Connection is.

Jesus said in John 15:5 (ESV): “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.”

Fruit doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from abiding. Relationship first. Then fruit.

You want to obey? Start with connection.

Too many of us are trying to live for Jesus before we spend time with Jesus. We’re trying to do things for Him before we learn to be with Him.

And that’s why we get worn out. That’s why we get frustrated. Because we’re chasing the mission without the map.

Psalm 16:8 (ESV) says: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”

When you walk into your job, your house, your battle—do you know who stands beside you?

Dr. Wayne Dyer said he never took notes when he spoke. He just showed up, trusted, and looked to his right—knowing he wasn’t alone.

Brother, you’re not alone either.

God is in this place. He lives in you. He is always near.

You don’t need to fake anything.

You don’t need to perform.

Just show up.

Open your mouth.

And let faith lead.

That’s what prayer is. It’s not about sounding good.

It’s about being real.

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) reminds us: “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

When you don’t know what to say, start with His name.

When you feel weak, start with His Spirit.

When you feel far, draw near.

He will meet you.

So pray until it transforms you.

First connection, then direction.

Download This Free PDF – Men of the Shepherd Prayer Guide

Today’s “Shepherding in Action” Value

Authentic prayer strengthens your leadership by building unshakable trust in God’s presence before any action is taken.

Three Practical Reflection Questions

1. What stops me from praying with confidence and honesty in front of others?
2. Am I spending more time trying to obey Jesus than I am actually abiding with Him?
3. What short prayer or Scripture can I carry daily to keep me connected to the Vine?

Bible References (ESV)

• John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
• Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
• Galatians 1:10 “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?”
• Matthew 6:7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases… for they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
• Ephesians 6:17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
• John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
• Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.”
• 1 Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
• Romans 10:13 “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
• Ecclesiastes 5:2 “God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.”

Short Prayer

Lord, teach me to abide in You before I try to act for You. Remind me that my words don’t need to be perfect—they just need to be honest. I want to pray with faith, not fear.

My Personal Journey & Engagement Call

These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other Men of the Shepherd in building Christ-centered homes—leading, discipling, and serving like Jesus.

If these reflections encourage you, please like, share, and pass them on so more men can grow in their calling.

To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

#MenOfTheShepherd #menofgod #ironsharpensiron #mensministry #discipleship