Using God's Word on purpose, specifically, in prayer is one means of prayer, and it is a most effective
and accurate means. Jesus said, "The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life." (John
6:63 AMP)
To use the Word in prayer is not taking it out of context, for His Word in us is the key to answered
prayer..to prayer that brings results. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the
power that works in us. (Eph. 3:20). The power lies within God's Word. It is anointed by the Holy
Spirit, and the Spirit of God does not lead us apart from the Word, for the Word is of the Spirit of God. We apply that Word
personally to ourselves and others in the name of Jesus.
An often asked question is: "How many times should Ipray the same prayer?"
The answer is simple, you pray until you know that the answer is fixed in your heart. After that, you need to repeat
the prayer whenever adverse circumstances or long delays cause you to be tempted to doubt that your prayer has been heard
and your request granted. The Word of God is your weapon against the temptation to lose heart and grow weary in your prayer
life. When that Word of promise becomes fixed in your heart, you will find yourself praising, giving glory to God for the
answer, even when the only evidence you have of that answer is your own faith.
Another question asked is: "When we repeat prayers more than once, aren't we praying 'vain repetitions'?"
Obviously, questions refer to the admonition of Jesus when He told His disciples: "And when you pray do not (multiply
words, repeating the same ones over and over, and) heap up phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for
their much speaking" (Matt. 6:7 AMP). Praying the Word of God is not praying the kind of prayer
that the "heathen" pray. You will note in 1Kings 18:25-29 that this was the manner of prayer that
was offered to the gods who could not hear them. That is not the way you and I pray. The words we speak are not vain, but
are the spirit and life, and mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. We have a God Whose eyes are over the
righteous and Whose ears are open to us: when we pray, He hears us.
Praise and thanksgiving.
Pray this confession to the Lord:
Has the Lord as great delight in burnt
offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
Pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are
temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
-- Greater sensitivity to sin
-- The ministry of your church
-- Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to God:
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the
house of the Lord
Forever (Psalm 23:6).
The book of Psalms has a great collection of prayers to help us in our prayer life. Here are a few
to get you started; as you read through Psalms, more will stand out to you for your own circumstances
that you need prayer for.
Forgivness: Psalm 6; 30; 51
Morning Prayer: 5; 108
Evening Prayer: 4; 34
Victory over enemies: 9; 35; 43
Thanksgiving: 18; 28; 105
Instruction: 25; 42; 77
Deliverance from burdens: 54; 58; 129
Deliverence of the nation: 60; 85
Poor and needy: 70
Aged: 71
Israel: 79; 83; 122
Worship: 95; 101; 117; 150
