It is a known fact that we Christians often do not know how to pray. Better worded, do not know how to frame our exact requests, needs.

That’s one of the many, many Ministries of the Holy Spirit. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us …” Romans 8:26

But it occurs to me that one way of praying exists that always gives us the right kind of prayer topics. And that is … praying Scripture, praying the very Word of God.

One example, and please note the underlined and capitalized verb …

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, SAY, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Luke 11:2-4, King James Version

Has Jesus here not instructed us (at least at times) to pray the very Words of the Bible? “When ye pray, say …!” I recall reading that the great Christian of the past named George Mueller, during his lifetime, read through the Bible over 200 times! On his knees! Praying Scripture as he read!

Personally, my prayer list is loaded with Bible Verses. Like Psalm 86:17, a favorite. “Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.”

The little Epistle of 3rd John (Verse 2) is another idea … “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I underline “be in health” every day, nearly every day. God is the great Physician, remember!

And what’s wrong with the old Jabez Prayer? God answered those requests according to 1 Chronicles 4:10. One single Verse in the middle of a long, detailed chronology, genealogy: “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.”

Another possibility!

I even pray against the ultra-wicked of the world: “Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man.” A direct quote (Prayer) from Psalm 10:15. This simply asks the Lord to judge the ungodly, something He has already pledged to do anyway.

My point … turn the Bible you love and read into a prayer list. Surely this will keep you praying “in God’s Will.” Not any longer praying “My will be done!”

Another “guardrail” I use to keep my petitions in line is taken from Jude Verse 20: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” I hereby ask the Holy Spirit to motivate and guide (and curb when necessary) my prayers before Almighty God.

Maybe I have at least left you with a fertile idea!

PRAYING GOD’S WORD!

“Class is over!”

Now let’s all go “practice” what we may have learned.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

.