Why Pray Scripture?
It’s hard to communicate in words what lies in our hearts and what stews in our minds, isn’t it? Sometimes we just cannot put into words the depths of our griefs and joys, the details of our worries and fears. Oftentimes, in speaking to the God of the Universe, we realize our smallness, our limitations, our insufficiencies…and we should. We are fragile, limited, and insufficient…but we are the children of the King! We are sons and daughters of the Most High God and He stoops to hear us.
Psalm 116:1-2 says “I love the LORD because He hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!” (NLT)
God bends down to listen to us. Just like a father would get down to listen to his little child who has a need or something to share, God leans towards us to hear what we’re asking, understand what we’re telling Him, and gives us His full attention because He loves us.
So, why should we pray Scripture? God’s word is so complete that it can put into words what we cannot. Speaking God’s words back to Him demonstrates we value His Word, we understand the power that it holds, and shows our submission to its authority.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Meditate on that. God’s word is living, not dead, not antiquated, not ‘yesterday’ but alive and working. The Greek word is ‘energes’ and means “active, working, effectual, operative, powerful” (1) The Word of God is active and powerful! And isn’t that what we want our prayers to be?!
Scripture is also sharp, ‘tomos’, meaning it can cut by a single stroke. It’s not dull, requires no hacking, sawing, or repeated blows. The double-edged sword was a prized weapon in battle because you could swing back and forth, taking out your enemies with each swing. A sharp, double-edged sword was to be feared and could not be competed against. Scripture imparts fear in the enemy, friends! Our own words do little. God’s word pierces and divides. When we pray, we want to pierce the darkness and evil, we want to divide error from truth, we want to separate those we are burdened for from the oppression and evil that would seek to bring them down. God’s word is powerful to do that.
Scripture separates and brings distinction between things as well. Hebrews mentions joints and marrow. We might question, “Why did God talk about that?” Consider what a joint does, it connects things and allows for movement. Yet, sometimes our connections are unhealthy and our movements are in the wrong direction. We can use scripture to pray that any movement is God-led and that our sons and daughters remain closely connected to Him. Psalm 1:1-2 is a wonderful passage to pray: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on His law day and night.”
But what about the marrow? Ah, the marrow is life-generating. We can live without joints, but we cannot live without marrow. The Greek word for marrow is ‘myelos’ and means blood. Marrow allows for life, generates new blood cells that fight infection, carries oxygen, and helps stop bleeding. A bone marrow transplant can restore life. Death of the marrow brings death to the body.
Finally, scripture discerns the intentions of the mind and heart. It is decisive to address each aspect of the individual’s thought life and heart attitude. Scripture is the all-inclusive remedy to every situation, challenge, attack, and need. Psalm 19:7-8 “The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
When we pray Scripture over our sons and daughters, we’re praying the very words of God that are effectual and life-giving, protective and sustaining. We need to form a habit of opening our Bibles and praying back the words we read. If we do, we are praying words that are alive, active, discerning, penetrating, and effective to fight spiritual battles with the double-edged sword of scripture, battling principalities and powers that would seek to harm and destroy. We can pray a spiritual hedge of protection around our sons and daughters. We can ask that the Lord would bring other believers to encourage, challenge, and keep them accountable. Through prayer and Scripture, we have access to the Throne room of The Almighty, Great I AM, our Father, our Savior, our Friend. Scripture is so precious, we must embrace it, learn it, pray it and memorize it.
Let’s boldly pray Scripture this week, speaking God’s own words over our sons and daughters, asking Him for protection, guidance, wisdom and strength. Psalm 25 is a great place to begin, but please, share the Scripture you’re praying!! Let’s encourage one another as we kneel before the Throne!
Psalm 25
1 In you, Lord my God,
I put my trust.
2 I trust in you;
do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
who are treacherous without cause.
4 Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you, Lord, are good.
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
10 All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11 For the sake of your name, Lord,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12 Who, then, are those who fear the Lord?
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,
and their descendants will inherit the land.
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
15 My eyes are ever on the Lord,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 Relieve the troubles of my heart
and free me from my anguish.
18 Look on my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
19 See how numerous are my enemies
and how fiercely they hate me!
20 Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, Lord,[c] is in you.
22 Deliver Israel, O God,
from all their troubles!
Pray without ceasing!
G1756 - energēs - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1756/niv/mgnt/0-1/
How Can A Young Man Keep His Way Pure?
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.” Psalm 119:9
Remember when our kids would build a fort out of pillows and cushions? They would surround themselves with them to protect themselves from any ‘enemy’ whether it be a sibling or pet who was the perceived ‘intruder’. It was creative and fun. But there is a great spiritual significance to that fort building.
Psalm 119:9 says “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living (or keeping) according to Your word.”
The word “pure” is the Hebrew word “zaka” which means translucent or morally innocent (1). Oh how we pray that for our sons and daughters! But in this world, corruption is easily attained, even if it’s not pursued. So how can they guard against it? And how can we pray?
We pray that they are living according to God's word. That word “living” is the word “samar” in Hebrew. Samar means to hedge about as with thorns, the guard, attend to, be circumspect and keep watch.
In Medieval times, the castle was always built with a keep- that portion of the castle that was the strongest and safest place. It was a fortified town and a place of refuge. Psalm 61:3 says, “For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”
Our sons and daughters will only keep their way pure, not just by going about their day with God in mind, but by surrounding themselves with His word, being circumspect- looking all around them and guarding against attack by the enemy.
Just knowing God’s word isn’t enough. Being familiar with it won’t provide the protection and defense we need. No, we need to surround ourselves so that we do not fall into sin.
Today, let’s pray that they revert back to their childhood days of building a wall of protection against the enemy, not with cushions and pillows, but with the mighty Word of God.
“Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” Ps 119:165
“Heavenly Father, You are the Mighty Protector and the Great Defender. I pray that You would surround (name) today with a hedge of spiritual protection against the Enemy. Lord, let (name) be ever-mindful of You and Your Word. May it not just be something that is ‘familiar’ to them, but let Your word be light and life to them. May they look to You for their guidance and protection. May their first thought in the morning be You and their last in the evening as well. Lord, help (name) to keep their way pure- not hiding sin but translucent, allowing Your light to shine through them. Help them to be morally pure, not following after deception or evil but wholeheartedly following after You. Be their Keeper, Lord and may their life be full of peace because they love You completely. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25, KJV)
Pray without ceasing, friends.
1. H2135 - zāḵâ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2135/niv/wlc/0-1//
2. H8104 - šāmar - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8104/niv/wlc/0-1/
The Power of Praying in Jesus’ Name
Why is it that we pray in Jesus’ name?
Most of us, when we pray, finish by saying ‘In Jesus’ name, amen.” But why should we be intentional about doing so?
First, there is salvation in no one else, no other name under heaven , no god, no power other than Jesus Christ brings salvation, redemption, forgiveness and freedom.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Next, we know that Jesus holds ALL authority. He reminded the disciples of this in Matthew 28:18
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Who better to lift our appeals and praise to than the One who has all authority? He shares His position and power with no other. He truly is Almighty.
There is power in the name of Jesus; and everyone and everything will one day bow the knee and confess His Lordship.
Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
The dangers of ambiguity
We live in a culture and age in which, too often, people will depend on “good vibes” or will “pray” to a ‘nebulous’ god, but not to the One to whom they should submit as Lord and Savior. In many ways, it’s an act of defiance and in others, idolatry. We hear people appeal to ‘goodness’ or comfort others by saying they will ‘hold others in the light’, but none has the power to do what Jesus’ can and will do. Remember, Satan masquerades as an ‘angel of light’ (2 Corinthians 11:14) He will do whatever he can do detract and pull us from the true Powerhouse of Prayer. Authentic, life-changing prayer happens in true relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no substitute.
What evidence does scripture give of the effectiveness of prayer in Jesus’ name?
Prayer in Jesus’ name brings healing:
Acts 3:6 is the account of Peter and John providing healing for the lame man; “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”
Did you catch that? In the name of Jesus!
Prayer in Jesus’ name causes earthly authority to fear:
Acts 4:18 “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”
Prayer in Jesus' name has power over supernatural/spiritual oppression and demonic influence:
Acts 16:16-18 Paul and Silas encountered a demon-possessed girl. “One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a demon-possessed slave girl. She was a fortune-teller who earned a lot of money for her masters. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name gives life:
John 20:31 “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name gives boldness:
Ephesians 6:19-20 was Paul’s appeal to the believers to pray for him as he continued to share the gospel. “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name brings unity:
1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name cleanses us, justifies us before God and makes us holy:
1 Corinthians 6:11 “…But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name brings comfort:
2 Corinthians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,”
Prayer in Jesus’ name guards and protects:
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer in Jesus’ name is powerful, effective and not only brings change to the situation, but has the power to change us in the process, as well.
James 5:17b “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
What is it that you’re praying for today? Pray boldly. Pray with confidence and pray in Jesus’ name.
Why not share your requests here? You can be as specific or as general as you feel comfortable. But we can all lift one another in prayer and bring these burdens and heartaches to the throne of grace. Prayer in Jesus’s name is powerful and effective. Let’s amp up our prayer life. Let’s grab hold of the power that is ours in Jesus. Let’s fight on our knees with the power of heaven on our side. No ‘good vibes’. No holding one another in the light. No generic drive-through prayers. Let’s pray bolding in the name of Jesus!
Pray without ceasing, friends. We serve the almighty God, maker of heaven and earth!
Watch Where You’re Going
2 Peter 3:17-18 “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
When our children were little and getting ready to cross the street, we would often take their hand and tell them, “watch where you’re going, be careful!” Why? Because they were stepping into an area where things were coming at them from both sides. The traffic surrounding them was a danger to their safety and they had to be alert so as not to be hit, injured, or worse.
As believers, we have to be alert to those spiritually dangerous zones as well. Unbiblical teaching can come at us unexpectedly, even from sources that we may trust. And that’s often when our guard is down. Extra-biblical ideas and rules can creep in and begin to sound a lot like Scripture, yet have no basis. We begin to believe the authority of the speaker versus the authority of Scripture. Taking scripture out of context can warp the meaning and purpose of God’s words so that they become a method and means of herding believers into areas of belief and doctrine that are man-made, not God-ordained. We need to watch where we’re going and the direction of those who are teaching and leading.
Today, let’s pray for our sons’ and daughters’ personal Bible study time, that time alone with the Lord when He can teach us, convict us, encourage us and increase our wisdom and knowledge. It’s not easy...sometimes it can take years before someone really finds a way to do purposeful study of the Word and enjoy it. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit stirs in their hearts and works in them to give them a hunger and thirst for God’s Word. Pray that they find joy in their time with the Lord. Pray that their wisdom and discretion are sharpened so that they operate in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and that they can identify and reject ungodly teaching. Pray that they are alert and sober-minded, spiritually, so they are not caught off guard or deceived by the enemy and his operatives. Pray that they will watch where they’re going.
“Father, You long to have us spend time with You each day, reading Your word and communing with You in prayer. It’s so important, yet, we often sacrifice that time with you on the altar of busyness. I pray that today, (name) would be convicted in their heart to make time with You a priority. Help me to do the same. Lord, it’s so, so very important because that’s how we will grow in knowledge and gain understanding so that we can be wise and discerning. I pray that (name) would grow to love their quiet time with You. Give them a hunger and thirst for Your word. Open their eyes to see wonderful things in Your word that would propel them to want to learn more (Ps. 119:18). Help them to hide Your word in their heart so they would not sin against You (Ps. 119:11). May Your word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Ps. 119:105) so they can clearly see the path of righteousness and avoid the dangers and deceptions that might harm them or lead them in the wrong direction. Lord, I pray that they would grow in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and they would have vibrant joy and a strong passion to follow You without compromise. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.