Effective Prayer Flows Through a Genuine Relationship with God
by Rabbi Michael Calise
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. (Yochanan 15:7)
Throughout the Scriptures, God reveals that covenant always precedes blessing. His promises are never detached from relationship. Yeshua speaks these words not as a formula for success, but as an invitation into an abiding union, into a living, covenantal walk with Him. To “abide” echoes the language of dwelling found throughout scripture: God desires not visitation, but habitation.
Effective prayer does not begin with our needs; it begins with our nearness. Yeshua connects answered prayer to a life continually shaped by His presence and filled with His words. When His teachings and the whole counsel of scripture make their home within us, they reshape what we love, refine why we ask, and bring our hearts into harmony with the will of the Father. Prayer then becomes far more than offering petitions, it becomes the natural expression of a life lived before God.
In Jewish thought, to “hear” is to respond, to obey, to align. God calls His people first to Shema, to listen deeply, before they speak boldly. As His word dwells richly in us, our prayers mature from reaction into fellowship, from urgency into agreement. We do not simply speak to God; we learn to speak with God.
Our prayer life will never exceed our devotion to His word. Where scripture and the testimony of Yeshua are cherished, prayer flows naturally. Where Scripture is neglected, prayer often becomes strained and uncertain. But when we abide, rooted in covenant, grounded in truth, and yielded to the Ruach, prayer flows with clarity, confidence, and spiritual power.
Reflection:
Am I cultivating a daily walk of abiding, listening to His word, welcoming His correction, and delighting in His presence? Or have I tried to claim His promises without tending the relationship they flow from?
Prayer:
Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and our King, teach me to dwell in You. Let Your instructions and the words of Messiah live richly within me. Align my heart with Yours, that my prayers would rise in agreement with heaven and bring glory to Your Name, through Yeshua our Messiah. Amen.
Nourished by the Word: A Call to Read Scripture
by Rabbi Carol Calise
On Shabbat, I encouraged us to commit to reading through the Bible this year. The psalmist reminds us, “Your word is a lamp for my foot and a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Adonai has given us the Scriptures to help us navigate the journey of life. Throughout the Bible, we are shown the importance of God’s Word; it is spiritual nourishment, a source of promises to hold onto, and practical instruction for how to live.
Joshua 1:8 encourages us: “Keep this book of the Torah on your lips, and meditate on it day and night, so that you will take care to act according to everything written in it. Then your undertakings will prosper, and you will succeed.” When we follow the principles found in Scripture, they guide us toward a life of wisdom and blessing.
I have been so encouraged hearing from many of you who have already started using the reading guide and are excited to be in the Word. Two ladies even shared how they read the daily selections together over the phone and encouraged one another. Others have been writing down questions and are eager to send them to Michael and me. What a beautiful picture of community and growth.
When we neglect reading the Word, we are starving ourselves spiritually. The Bible is food for our spirits; it strengthens us in difficult seasons and sustains us in joyful ones. I’ve shared this story many times at the congregation and even referenced it again this past weekend, but I want to repeat it here because it so clearly demonstrates the power of God’s Word.
On January 9, 1989, my father graduated from this earth to his heavenly reward. I was very close with my dad, and his passing was deeply difficult. I went home for his funeral and stayed for a month as my siblings and I helped my mother sort through insurance, finances, and other responsibilities. During that time of grief and sorrow, I did not read the Bible at all.
On my return trip, during a long layover in Pittsburgh, I pulled out my Bible along with a reading plan (I always use one to help me read through the Scriptures each year). That particular plan began with the book of Job, which is not the most uplifting place to start. Yet, after reading for about half an hour, I closed my Bible and realized that I felt strengthened in my inner being. Nothing dramatic stood out, and I didn’t receive a specific “word” from the Lord, but I felt different. I knew it was because I had been in the Word.
Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, and whatever your current habit of Bible reading may be, I want to encourage you to take a simple step toward growth in this area. You can visit the page below to learn more about the importance of reading Scripture and to download the Bible reading plan we are using together. Just click on the picture of the Torah.
Prayer Can Change Your Life
Join us as we begin the new year with a week of prayer.
High Holy Days 2025
The High Holy Day season is a sacred invitation for our Jewish community to return, reflect, and renew. As we gather in unity, we look back on the year with humility and examine our hearts before Adonai, seeking His grace and mercy. This shared journey draws us closer to HaShem and to one another, strengthening the bonds of faith and community as we step into the days of awe with reverence and hope.
