Bible story
Mary And Martha’s Prayer
A short, Scripture-shaped bible story prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.
The prayer
A prayer to pray now
Lord Jesus,
You said only one thing is necessary. Mary chose the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.
Martha was busy serving. Mary was sitting at Your feet, listening. Martha was worried about many things. You did not say her work was wrong. You said the worry was pulling her away from what mattered most.
I understand that pull. The list of tasks always seems to grow. The chance to sit and listen feels like a luxury. But Your Word says it is necessary, not a luxury. The good portion is the part of life I too often leave for last.
Lord, reorder my household this week. Help me serve a meal that is good enough rather than the meal that impresses. Give me the courage to stop and sit where Mary sat. The portion that will not be taken away is not a clean house or a perfect table. It is time with You.
Shape me into a Mary in the right hours.
Amen.
How to pray it
- Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
- Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
- Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.
Verses to pray
Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.
but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:42Jesus answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
Luke 10:41
Questions about this prayer
When should I pray mary and martha’s prayer?
Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.
Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?
This prayer is anchored in Luke 10:42, Luke 10:41. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.
Can I save or share this prayer?
Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.