Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Pray the Word

When I wrote this Bible Study on prayer, it was just to set up a foundation for our prayer lives. I was within a time constraint that meant it could not be all-inclusive. There are so many facets of prayer and so many ideas and concepts, hopefully we will be able to cover some more ground here at another time.

"In depth" study of prayer is such a beneficial undertaking. The first, and one of the very best books that I have read on the subject of prayer, is by Andrew Murray. It was written over 130 years ago by a Dutch Reformed pastor in South Africa. It is a classic and foundational study; "With Christ in the School of Prayer".
There are so many contemporary books also, that are insightful and energizing that will guide you on starting a more intimate and fruitful prayer life.





I want to share one more concept about prayer that helped me in the beginning of my prayer journey. Praying God's Word. This is a concept that I heard about many years ago. There are "prayer promise" books that have categories for your particular need, such as marriage, physical health, fear, hope, faith, repentance etc. They can be found at any Christian bookstore and they offer scripture that addresses your particular need. We know that the Bible is God's Word to us, so if we pray the scripture back to Him, we know we are praying within His will and guidelines.

Praying passages from the Psalms and Proverbs are also a wonderful way to incorporate scripture into our prayers. Reading the books written by Paul and praying back the prayers of Paul the Apostle are passages of scripture that we can find great promises in, such as in the first chapters 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians 1 and 2 Timothy. These prayers were spoken by Paul to encourage and build up the people of the churches in the early New Testament. They are still so very relevant for us, as individuals today.

Version: NAS

Ephesians 1:17-19
17."... that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18. [I pray that] the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19. and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. [These are] in accordance with the working of the strength of His might 20. which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly realms."

Let's take this apart and see how we can pray it back to God. 

17." Dear Father, I ask that you might give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation knowledge about You, so that I might learn and understand who You are. 18. and that the "eyes of my heart" might be enlightened so that I can see and know the Hope of Your calling; that I might know the riches of your glory in the inheritance that I have as a Christian. 19. I ask to know the surpassing greatness of Your power toward me, and the strength of your might, like you used with Jesus when you raised Him from the dead."

Here's another passage from Paul's prayer in Philippians.

Philippians 1:6
[For I am] confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

So let's pray: Dear Father I know You began a good work in me, and I am confident that you will perfect it and bring it to fulfillment.


If this idea seems a little overwhelming just take one or two verses and break them down. Concentrate on praying those back in your prayer time. Then move on when you feel it's time. God will direct your prayer time if you will only ask.

We have looked at God's desire for relationship which leads to communication in prayer. We saw that God's great desire is for us to seek after Him. We have looked at elements of God's Nature, and realized that by being aware of these things it will bring us confidence in our ability to come before the Father to pray.

And for me the most important thing I did was to ask God to teach me to pray. Just like the disciples with Jesus, I wanted to know how to communicate with God. I had to admit that I needed His direction and then I asked Him to give me a desire to know and love Him, which would generate my desire to pray.

 Prayer should be thought of not as a burden, but as a great privilege.

Be sure and check back tomorrow as I introduce our next subject. I think you will find it to be exciting and life-changing, as I did.

love,
Debra

p.s. I need to add a link to this blog, that my sweet sister-in-law visits. It is a small town in Virginia, they need our prayers.
Notforgotten Farm

11 comments:

  1. Wonderful advice and resources,Debra. Blessings to you today!

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  2. Hi Debra,
    When my son Jonathan had his near fatal wreck and we went through years of recovery one of the ways I prayed was as you mention a promise book...everyday a new promise...combined with praying in the spirit.
    Our church prayed prophetically declaring the promises of God over him. Some people prayed very simple prayers 'help' all were affective if they came from the heart and spirit.

    Good lesson...I bet I know your surprise!
    Lee

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  3. Debra ~ ~

    A vital key you have shared here in regard to our prayer life. God word is established forever. I often pray scripture . They are God’s promises to us.

    I too enter into my prayer time with thanksgiving and worship. Entering His gate with Thanksgiving in my heart

    Ph'p:4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

    I am really enjoying these post on prayer Debra, thank you for sharing .

    Blessings, GG

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  4. Thanks, Debra. Still praying here...
    Love,
    Melanie@Bella~Mella

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  5. I have experienced great victory declaring God's Word over a situation. There is such power in the Word of God!

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  6. I don't know if you've ever seen them, but I have a little box with scripture verses on cards that belonged to my grandparents. As a little girl I remember that they always pulled one out at each meal and read the scripture. That then became the launching pad for the prayers that were offered. Sweet memories. Today I don't know what I'd do without praying back scripture to the Lord. Just like we feel honored if our grown children say something to us like "I remember you always told me to ..." God must be thrilled when we offer back His own words of promise to us. Nice post!

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  7. Privilege indeed, very nicely done : )

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  8. Debra, it's funny if we can be still long enough to hear him he does speak to us. I'd been really really burdened about something and last night when I got quiet before him, he showed me just the verse that I needed and the confirmation for my burden. Thanks so much for all you do and for teaching us, I really mean that!

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  9. Hi Kitt, good to hear from you, believe me, there are times I need to be reminded of my own "advice"! LOL

    Lee, I am a HUGE believer in speaking out prophetically over my children, husband and circumstances. I have seen it work miraculously!

    GG, yes, and because His word is established, we can have great confidence in it.

    Hi dear Melanie, I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for saying that you are. Hugs and blessings! love you.

    Lisa, such power in the Word, "wonderworking power"

    Hi Jacquelyn, such a great comparison in how we feel about our own children, and the prayer box sounds wonderful! I can see how that would stick with you as a special memory!

    Hi Donatella, I know for a long time, I felt as if prayer was a burden, I didn't know how to pray so I felt condemned. So glad you're here and joining in!

    Theresa Awesome! How great is that. When we just get quiet He speaks. Love it. I'm so glad you all are here. It's a huge blessing and motivator for me!

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  10. I had a thought as I read this Debra-

    Reading and cherishing the reading of God's word is prayer too, righht?

    Laura

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  11. I think the "cherishing" speaks volumes. It all goes back to your good "word" for the year. Intentional, if we read with intent I think it surely does qualify. I know there were times when I was so down that I sat and read the Bible out loud for sometimes hours at a time. It always worked and really lifted me.
    I think our "attitude" in this is everything.

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