"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" - James 5:16 (NIV).
One of the most effective ways of praying is certainly through scripures. Why it matters is because you are then praying the mind of God. The scriptures say, "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" (Hebrews 4:12).
After his long fast to pave way for his ministry, when Satan attacked the Lord Jesus, he used the Word to dispel him off. "The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone" (Luke 4:3-4). Then also, when Satan promised him the whole world insisting, if "you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only" (vv 7-8).
Praying through scriptures matters because not just of its power and how it makes Satan defenceless, but there are many good things there for any. If one is caught up with worry and confesses God's Word in prayers, citing; "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6)," there is a certain power that goes with that!
King David quoted Scriptures in many of his prayer Psalms. In Psalm 132 he quotes, "I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob" (vv 3-5). And further, "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever" (vv 11-12).
If Jesus and David used scriptures to appeal to God or to deflate the enemy, then how about you! For you know what, there is no true prayer in your heart if it is in the will of God that is not aligned with Scripture. Faced with an uphill task, just confess, "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, through the power of your word I make all "my requests known to you with thanksgiving" that you may grant them according to your loving mercy, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
