Baking Bread as a Spiritual Discipline

Have you ever wondered how a simple act like baking bread can be a spiritual discipline and bring you closer to God? Making bread has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up in my parents' bakery, I spent hours decorating cakes, making treats, waiting on customers, and working with dough. My favorite part—and the memory that still lingers—was the smell of bread as it baked. My dad would bake bread on Saturday afternoons, signaling the end of a long workweek. The smell of baked bread still brings me those same feelings of satisfaction and rest.

It’s been years since I worked in the bakery, but the memories and skills have stayed with me. I was thrilled to be invited to attend a day-long retreat called “Bake and Pray,” led by Kendall Vanderslice, author, speaker, and founder of Edible Theology. This retreat offered a unique way to connect with God through the act of baking bread. I've attended many spiritual retreats, but this was different; instead of relying on words and reading, I was invited to engage my senses and creativity.

Excited to see what was in store, I arrived with my Bible, journal, mixing bowl, measuring cups, and an apron. The retreat began with worship and prayer, and then we moved to tables with bags of flour, water, yeast, and other baking essentials. As we combined the flour, water, salt, and yeast, Kendall encouraged us to notice the texture of the soft flour and how it changed, sticking to our fingers. We closed our eyes, and she led us in a simple breath prayer as we continued to mix, fold, and knead the dough. I prayed a simple prayer she taught:

Inhale: “Oh God who comes” - stretch and fold the dough

Exhale: “To us in bread” - stretch and fold the dough

Inhale: “Do not let us” - stretch and fold the dough

Exhale: “Go” - stretch and fold the dough

This was so much more than a fun, crafty, hands-on activity; it was a new way to pray. As the dough began to transform from sticky and messy to round and pliable, I thought about how the Holy Spirit was transforming me, helping me continue to be more like Jesus. Even the atmosphere in the room shifted, and the chatter stopped as we each focused on the rhythm of praying and kneading.

After the initial kneading, it was time for the dough—and us—to rest. We covered our dough with damp towels and stepped away for three hours. At first, I was a little intimidated by the idea of being silent for three hours. However, the retreat was located near the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan, so I took a walk in silence, letting the waves and wind become part of my prayer. I found myself thinking about how God has shaped and reshaped my life, much like the bread dough in my hands.

Kendall shared this prayer for the time of silence and waiting:

God of transformation, I want to put my trust in you. I want to rest and believe that you are at work along the way. Let this bread in my hands serve as a reminder that you renew me day by day. Though doubts may come and hopes may crumble, your faithfulness remains the same. Amen.

When the loaves were finally ready for the next step, we placed them in the oven and waited for them to rise once more. The aroma filled the room, one more sensory reminder of God’s provision and care. Once the bread was baked, we gathered to enjoy it with butter and jam. Every bite felt like a prayer of thankfulness for God’s gift of grace and provision, a satisfying conclusion to a day filled with quiet worship and intentionality.

The retreat reminded me to keep an open mind about prayer and showed me that prayer doesn’t always need words. I can pray while I am making food, kneading dough, in the stillness of waiting for the oven timer, or in the joy of community and conversation as we share the meal. It made me wonder, “What other daily tasks could become acts of prayer?”

Even if baking isn't your thing, there might be a food preparation task that could become a way to structure a prayer. Maybe it’s your morning cup of coffee or tea. Instead of rushing through it, could you slow down and use that time to connect with God? What prayer or verse of Scripture could you reflect on as your tea steeps or coffee brews? Or perhaps when you are preparing a meal, use that time to pray for the people who will share it with you. Here are some verses that could guide your prayers as you prepare food:

• You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).

• Taste and see that the Lord is good… (Psalm 34:8).

• Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).

How might God be inviting you to experience his presence in your daily routines? Whether through cooking, baking, or making your favorite drink, may you find new ways to pray and spend meaningful time with God.

May we pray for you? Share a prayer request with us here. We invite you to check out our free ebook, “How Do I Pray?” We also encourage you to explore the prayer resources on our website.