Praying the Word of God
In our lifegroup discussion last week, we talked about praying ten things that God has told us he wants. How does praying that way change our prayers?
How does praying that way change us?
Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Here, The Apostle Paul shows us that prayer should be powerful. Transformative. Prayer makes a difference, right? What kind of difference should it make, according to this passage?
Matthew 7:7 (ESV) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
I love Jesus’ idea here that prayer gives us access. I think I often make a big deal about that “open door.” I think it is an opening for a career path, or a relationship change. I think that is okay, but I don’t think that is the primary idea here. What access does prayer open for us?
Proverbs 3:1–4 (ESV) My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
This week, let’s look at another powerful way for us to pray….
Bob Burgess and Greg Engler talked on Sunday about the Word of God. The Bible. They are all about getting it into the hands of whoever they can. Amazing.
We use God’s Word for wisdom, understanding, and for anchoring us in the Truth.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
God’s Word is powerful. Have you thought about the value of praying the Word of God?
The Psalms has been called the songbook of the Bible.
It has also been called the prayer book of the Bible.
The Psalms are just raw, honest prayers meant for us to sing to God.
In other words, the Psalms are the Word of God given to us in order that we would pray them right back to him.
it is sort of like God holding our hand and walking us through how he wants us to think and express our hearts to him.
So, what if we did that? How might our prayer life be transformed if we prayed His Word back to him? How would HE be blessed by that? How might WE be blessed by that?
So how does this work? Simple, really… And deep. I say pick a Psalm and as you read slowly through it, (I like to read it out loud) then just express back to God what you are thinking/ feeling/ sensing/ desiring.
Let’s pray together with a short few verses from Psalm 119!
Psalm 119:17–24 (NLT) Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word. 18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
(What might you say here back to God? Do I have a desire for His Truth?)
19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me! 20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.
(What might you say here back to God? Do I identify with this land, or with Him? Is my desire for His Law overwhelming to me? How should that affect my prayer?)
21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed. 22 Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.
(What might you say here back to God? Have I been faithful to submit to God, even when there are arrogant and scornful people around me?)
23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees. 24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.
(What might you say here back to God? Am I a man pleaser, or a God pleaser? Where will I find joy and wisdom?)
This is personal
I think praying this way is like a personal guided prayer, led by the Holy Spirit. As you do this, He will bring to your mind the circumstances, relationships, needs, and issues in your life that He wants you to pray for, and will even guide you in HOW to pray for each of them! Praying His Word give you access to HIM and to His will for your life.
John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
So, will you practice praying in His Word this week?