Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:5-8, James 5:13-16, Ephesians 6:18, I Thessalonians 5:16-18

If you are like me, you may not have had the healthiest prayer life. In fact, you may not have one at all. People often tell you to pray, but how much time do you actually spend doing it? Do you even understand what prayer is?

I remember sitting in church, listening to others pray and thinking, “Wow, they are really good at this.” In prayer circles, I would shrink back, hoping no one would call on me. I didn’t want to look like I had no idea what I was doing. I thought prayer required eloquent words, elaborate speeches, and a polished routine. My only prayers were the simple ones I learned as a child and the grace I said over meals. In my mind, I simply didn’t know how to pray.

Then one day I read Matthew 6:5-8, and it hit me. I realized God invites us to simply open our mouths and talk to Him. This does not mean the prayers I heard in church circles were not genuine, because they actually were. The point is that you don’t need to dig deep or master a special technique to build a consistent prayer life. You already have everything you need: your mind and your mouth. Even the blind and the mute can pray.

It’s important to understand why we pray. James 5:13-16 tells us to pray in times of trouble, sickness, and praise, and to confess our sins to one another. Ephesians 6:18 urges us to pray on all occasions. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to pray without ceasing. At its core, prayer is direct communication with our heavenly Father.

When I strengthened my prayer life, the ACTS acronym helped me greatly: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication (Philippians 4:6).

ACTS gave me a simple framework. Start with recognizing God for who He is. Praise and worship Him before asking for anything. This reminds us of His power and authority.

Next, come with a clean heart through Confession. As humans, we all have things to repent of. Honest confession removes anything that might hinder our prayers.

Then practice Thanksgiving. Gratitude honors God and builds faith, trusting that He will answer. If you gave someone a gift and they never said thank you, how would you feel?

Finally, bring your Supplication, or your requests. Be thoughtful here. God is not Santa Claus; He is our Lord and Savior. Include the needs of others and the areas in your own life where you need His work. He especially delights in prayers for healing and deliverance.

As you build your prayer life, reflect on these principles:

1. Some prayers require you to listen more than speak.
2. Schedule prayer time just as you would any other important activity.
3. Don’t quit if it feels difficult at first – new habits take time.
4. Prayer is not a ritual or repetition; it is a lifestyle.
5. Ask God to develop your prayer language.
6. Remember: God does not serve us – we serve Him. Let this shape how you pray.
7. Silence distractions.
8. If a prayer seems unanswered, examine your heart, the seeds you’ve planted, and the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

Prayer
Father, thank You for making prayer as simple as opening my mouth and talking to You. Forgive me for the times I stayed silent because I believed I needed the right words first. Teach me to adore You before I ask, to confess with an honest heart, to give thanks even while I am still waiting, and to bring my requests and the needs of others to You without hesitation. Let prayer become a lifestyle in me rather than a ritual, and grow my confidence in coming to You until it is part of how I live each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Contributed by Ladies In Full Effect (Pastor T)

From there, the panel shifted into a powerful conversation about public figures professing faith, specifically Tekashi 6ix9ine speaking openly about Christianity. Rather than rushing to condemn him, the hosts challenged listeners to remember that spiritual growth is a journey. They emphasized prayer, community, accountability, and the danger of acting like Pharisees when someone is still learning how to walk with Christ.

The episode also tackled Black Lives Matter, discernment, spiritual influence, and how Christians should respond to movements that may stir emotion but still require prayerful examination. The hosts reminded listeners that empathy matters, but believers must remain led by God rather than culture.

Finally, the show closed with a conversation about marriage vows, sickness, loyalty, and commitment. Through humor, conviction, and real-life perspective, Fresh Leftovers delivered an episode that challenged listeners to think deeply about faith, family, and what it truly means to live with Christ at the center.

They give you the title, the office, maybe a bigger salary, and a team that now reports to you. And somewhere in the handoff, a assumption gets made. That the position means people are beneath you. That authority flows downward. That your job is to direct, correct, and be served by the people under your supervision.

It feels logical. It’s also wrong. And it’s costing your team more than you know.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Big Phil, we get into one of the most misunderstood dynamics in leadership. The relationship between authority and service. Most new managers walk into their first leadership role believing the position is something they’ve earned, something that grants them a certain deference from the people around them. What Big Phil discovered, through some of the hardest personal work he’s ever done, is that the position actually demands the opposite.

The best leader, in his words, is the one who serves. The one who puts themselves at the bottom of the barrel. Not as a figure of speech. As an operating philosophy.

Big Phil didn’t just say it. He lived it. He sat down with his assistant and asked her to redraw his org chart with him at the bottom. The software didn’t even support it. She had to do it manually. And when he looked at that image, something shifted in him that hadn’t shifted before.

That shift is what this episode is about.

If you are a new manager still trying to figure out how to hold authority without losing people, this conversation is going to reframe the way you see your role entirely. The question isn’t how do you get your team to follow you. The question is whether you are willing to serve them well enough that following becomes the natural response.

Part 2 of my conversation with Big Phil is available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you listen.

In the Book of Job, God acknowledged Job’s character to Satan, declaring that he was “perfect and upright, one that feared God and stayed away from evil.” Satan replied that Job’s fear of God only existed because God had protected and blessed him, making him the wealthiest man in the entire region. He went so far as to claim that if God removed everything Job had, he would curse God to His face.

When God allowed all of Job’s possessions, his servants, his livestock, and even his children to perish in one day, the first thing Job did was worship God. Job 1:20-21 says: “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’”

Essentially, Job was saying that whether he experienced scarcity or abundance, whether he was broke or rich, and whether he was alone or surrounded by family, his allegiance remained with God. Our relationship with God is not based on blessings but on covenant. What a powerful initial response to affliction!

After witnessing this, God pointed out to Satan that his assumptions about Job had been proven false. Satan then claimed that if God afflicted Job’s body, he would surely curse Him. Confident in Job, God permitted this as well, and Job became covered in painful boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Despite the excruciating pain and his wife’s urging to “curse God and die,” Job refused. Once again, he displayed his deep reverence for God.

Even his friend Zophar, using human logic, accused Job of deserving what he was experiencing (Job 11:6), unaware that this was completely false. The lesson here is that advice from friends can be helpful, but other people are not always privy to the sovereign movements of God.

However, like many of us, Job was not perfect. The stress and turmoil eventually became unbearable, and he began to detest life, declare his own righteousness, and complain to God. Some might argue that complaining was justified in his situation, but Philippians 2:14 commands us, “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” This instructs us to guard our hearts against murmuring, even in times of temporary discomfort. Instead, we should maintain a heart posture of patient but courageous faith (Psalm 27:14), trusting that God will deliver us at the appointed time and remembering that He is always with us, even in hard times.

At the end of all his trials and tribulations, Job was restored and given twice as much as he had before. He was blessed with seven more sons and three more daughters. He lived 140 years after that and saw four generations of his children and grandchildren.

The moral of this story is that God is always faithful and will never allow us to suffer more than we can handle or wait longer than necessary. What you are experiencing may be a test rather than a punishment – an expansion of your capacity to handle future blessings rather than an increase in tribulation.

Let’s learn to wait well in Jesus’ mighty name. Hallelujah!

Reflection Prompt

1. What is your heart posture when waiting on God to deliver you from affliction or to bring a promise to pass? Is it one filled with anxiety, impatience, or complaining? If yes, based on today’s devotional, how can we change that?
2. What are ways you can wait in ways that are pleasing to God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come to you with a heart of gratitude in awe of your power. May the way we wait upon your deliverance, your mercy, your breakthrough be pleasing to you. May we never forget the times you have delivered us before and may we never lose faith that you will deliver us again. We bless your Holy Name no matter life circumstances. Amen

Devotional Written By: Jah Barnes

For most of us, perhaps May did not end the way we intended; the month began with good plans that fell apart midway. By June, there is more to confess than to celebrate. If this describes you, this Reset does not ignore reality. God meets you exactly where May left you.

God gives fresh mercies every day because He understands how quickly our plans unravel. He knew Tuesday would often undo Monday’s good intentions. The invitation to begin again flows directly from His unchanging faithfulness, which has never depended on our perfect performance.

However, starting over without clear intention simply repeats the same cycle under a new month. Real intention pulls you back after failure and reminds you of what you originally committed to before life became busy and distracting. Those who set a clear intention and follow through imperfectly will always make more progress than those who keep waiting until they feel fully ready or motivated.

Before June slips away, set one simple spiritual goal for these 21 days. Choose a single, realistic practice, such as reading one chapter of Scripture before you check your phone in the morning, or spending ten minutes in honest prayer before bed. Pick the one that feels doable and make it non-negotiable.

If there is room for a second goal, add a physical one. The physical and spiritual aspects of this Reset are connected. Moving your body daily is itself an act of worship.

Write both goals down in a place where you will see them every day. God told Habakkuk to write the vision plainly for a reason. A goal that exists only in your head remains a vague wish. Writing it down is a practical act of faith that demonstrates you expect God to help you follow through.

The only difference between where you are today and where you ended May is a willing heart and a new morning. God has never needed more than that to begin something new. His mercies are fresh right now, and He is glad you are here.

Reflection Questions

1. What did May reveal about where my spiritual life needs more intention, and what is the one thing I am willing to protect differently this month?
2. If I kept one simple spiritual goal for the full 21 days of this Reset, what would look different in me by June 28?

Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You that Your mercies are new this morning and that Your invitation to begin again was never conditional on how May went. Forgive me for the times I let good intentions give way to the noise of the week without a fight. As I start this new Reset, help me set my intention before the busyness sets in, and keep me tethered to it when I am tempted to drift. Teach me that You are not looking for my perfection but my willingness, and that a willing heart brought back to You is always enough. Build something in me over these 21 days that holds long past the last one. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional Written By: Elikem

One of the biggest themes of the episode is the impact of the Chosen Journey set at Rolling Loud. Trends Setta Sense explains that the moment was not just about performing on one of the biggest hip hop stages in the world. It was about touching lives, saving souls, and bringing the message of the kingdom into a space where many people may not expect to encounter it. From prayer before the set to moments of ministry inside the festival, the conversation reveals that there was much more happening behind the scenes than what viewers saw online.

King Legend and Trends Setta Sense also discuss the importance of accountability and leadership in Christian hip hop. They highlight how artists must understand that their words carry weight, especially when they are representing Christ. The episode reminds listeners that ministry is not always instant fruit; sometimes it is seed planting. Someone may hear a lyric, witness a prayer, or experience a moment of light in a dark place, and that seed may grow years later.

Another touching part of the conversation is Trends Setta Sense speaking about his family, especially his wife, mother, and in-laws. Their support has played a major role in his journey, showing that behind public moments of success are private moments of prayer, encouragement, sacrifice, and love.

Overall, this episode is a reminder that Christian hip hop is not just a genre. It is a mission field. King Legend and Trends Setta Sense challenge creatives to keep God’s purpose at the forefront, stay obedient, ignore distracting noise, and walk boldly in their assignment. Whether on a stage, in a prayer tent, or in everyday life, the call remains the same: serve God, love people, and let the Holy Spirit lead.

Throughout the conversation, Christal shares how her journey shaped her calling. From growing up in the South, to building a career as a dancer and teacher, to navigating single parenthood, faith, love, abstinence, and purpose, her story reminds listeners that vision is not just about what we want to accomplish. Vision is about who we are becoming.

One of the most powerful themes of the episode is the importance of knowing yourself before offering deep access to others. Christal speaks honestly about intimacy, love, motherhood, healing, and the discipline it takes to choose wholeness over temporary comfort. Her reflections invite listeners to ask deeper questions: Am I living from my vision, or am I reacting to my circumstances? Am I building boundaries, borders, or barricades? Am I willing to do the work required to become the person I say I want to be?

This episode is also a reminder that leadership does not always look like control. Sometimes leadership looks like alignment, humility, curiosity, and love. Christal’s wisdom challenges the listener to stop waiting for permission, stop shrinking from their gifts, and start walking through the doors God has already opened.

For anyone seeking clarity, healing, purpose, or the courage to move forward, this conversation with Coach Christal Brown is one to revisit, reflect on, and share.

Angie opens up about her break from social media, which started as a planned week off and stretched past three months. She describes the season as a “cocoon” — a time of transformation rather than mere change. Away from the pressure to perform online, she says she started “finding me again,” hearing music for joy instead of obligation, and rebuilding her original team of friends who knew her before the industry.

The conversation moves through some powerful territory: learning that boundaries are healthy, that it’s okay not to be fond of everyone, and that discernment protects your heart. Angie is also transparent about the weight of being a role model for young women and the physical toll her ministry journey has taken.

The episode’s most striking moment comes near the end. Reflecting on her missions trips to places like Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, Angie shares a simple but profound conviction: “the cure for depression is serving.” Drawing on the words “his yoke is easy, his burden is light,” she explains why pouring into others — even when it’s hard — turns out to be the very thing that lifts you.

It’s a thoughtful, faith-rooted episode about rest, identity, and finding life by giving it away. Tune in to What It Iz, What It Beez Like?! on Holy Culture Radio.

Ray2k didn’t pull up to sit comfortably. He came to talk about the fight — the one nobody posts about. The flesh-and-blood battles, the demons that show up uninvited, the weight of carrying your own cross when no one is around to share the load. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been playing life on hard mode while everyone else seemed to have a guide, this conversation is going to feel less like a podcast and more like a phone call you needed.

What makes Ray2k worth listening to isn’t that he claims to have it all figured out. It’s that he’s been through enough to know what actually works. He talks about faith not as decoration, but as something lived in — Jesus as a tenant inside, not a poster on the wall. He talks about provision, about protection, about staying ready when the pressure comes. That’s the cheat code: not a shortcut around the struggle, but a way to walk through it without breaking.

The host keeps the energy honest, and the back-and-forth never drifts into the kind of recycled advice you’ve heard a hundred times. This is raw, specific, and rooted in real experience. The viewer is the subject here — the questions Ray2k answers are the ones you’ve probably been carrying yourself.

So here’s the open question the episode leaves you with: if you finally got the code, what would you actually do with it? Watch the full episode of WhatItIzWhatItBeezLike?! with Ray2k, and find out what it really is — and what it really beez like.