Focus Verse: Heaven and earth [as now known] will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Matthew 24:35 (AMP)
How do you pray? Are you praying the Word of God back to Him? Are you praying according to the things God had already shown Himself faithful towards?
A while ago while in prayer, the Lord prompted me to pray according to how He had already performed and what He had already done in the lives of those in the Bible. For example, as long as I can remember, wisdom and discernment have always been something I desired and prayed for. The bible tells us that God gave King Solomon wisdom and insight greater than all the people of the east. See 1 Kings 4:29-30. So often times I will pray, “Lord, I ask You for wisdom and exceedingly great understanding like You gave to King Solomon according to 1 Kings 3 and 4 so that I am able to discern between good and evil.” Or when I find myself concerned with or involved in more things than I should, “God, give me a spirit like Mary so I am not troubled with those things that aren’t important, but that I choose what You would have me to be involved in, according to Luke 10:42.”
All throughout the Bible are promises that God has given to those who believes in Him. Often times, I find myself using those same promises and praying them back to God to remind Him of what He already promised. Not that He needs reminding, but as a way to say, “God You said You would do this and I’m believing You to do it.” For example, when I find myself struggling in the area of my purpose and God’s plan for my life, I often pray, “God, Your word tells me in Philippians that I can be confident because You began a good work in me and You will complete it until Jesus returns.” Because I know God is not a man, so He can not lie, Numbers 23:19, if He has said He would do it He will, He will. Additionally, as humans, it’s easy for us to forget things, so this is done as a reminder to myself that His record is God and He can be trusted.
So I raise the question again. How are you praying?
Reference Verses: 1 Kings 3:9; 1 Kings 4:29-30; Philippians 1:6
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your word that never changes and will remain forever. Thank You for being faithful to Your word. There are times that I need reminding of what You have already done in the past and because I know You have done it before, You are able to do it again. I pray that You help me to let the word do the work in my life. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen!
Rachael says
Prayer is intimate. It is our communication with our Father. I did an in-depth serious on prayer while reading about David. I was once accused of not being reverent enough when I prayed; it took a long time to overcome this embarrassment. I finally realized that prayer isn’t about just me. It’s me asking God what can I do for you today, Lord? David asked the Lord for things, but he was always willing to do what God asked of him. This is a great post. I love when people open up about their own relationships with God.
Mihaela Echols says
Amen some pray to just ask things for God but never stop to thank him for how he is working in our lives.
Scott LaPierre says
Tiffani, thanks for the encouragement regarding praying according to the promises God has already spoken in His Word. Sometimes it’s tough to know what to pray, but if He’s recorded it for us we can be confident.
The How-to Guru says
I believe God adores it when we repeat His words back to Him when we pray. I’m so thankful for the privilege and power of prayer!
The How-to Guru