155. PRAYER, USING WORDS FROM GOD’S WORD

(The Faith Forum Series – Batch 3)

I believe in praying to God from the heart, through Jesus Christ his Son and in using words as a Christian feels led, in that moment.

The Bible says in James 4:16, that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man will avail much, so God is interested in a heart connection, fueled with faith in him, when we approach his throne, whether it be for thanksgiving, to present our petition, to intercede on behalf of others or to confess our sins.

I also believe that a Christian may use the Word of God in his prayer, as it speaks of God’s character and faithfulness, throughout the ages. I have heard some even say that incorporating God’s Word in prayer is potent, as God honours his Word.

I have used his Word in my prayers on occasion. Yesterday however, it dawned on me, that I could also pray some prayers that were solely or mainly based on his Word, in terms of what God instructed his children in the Bible days to pray or to say or what they prayed to him about or based on what he told them he would do in their lives.

This thought came to me because on different occasions, I would find myself reading a portion of scripture, for example, a Psalm and feel so touched by the prayer that the Bible character was praying to God and how it so related to my own life circumstances, that I would stop and pray the same prayer to God as well but from my heart.

I therefore searched the Scriptures for other prayers with which I connected based on my own life experiences and decided to create two prayers customized to my situation, using mainly the words from the Bible.

One of these prayers was used by the people who prayed them in the Bible, for CLEANSING, HEALING, RESTORATION, HOPE, FAVOUR AND RESURRECTION POWER and the other for PROTECTION, DELIVERANCE, STRENGTH AND VICTORY OVER ENEMIES.

If you have been praying and praying and praying and are yet to see results in your life, maybe you can consider adding (not replacing) prayers to your prayer life, using the words in the Word of God.

While this is not a guarantee that God will grant you your request or when you want it and prayers must always come from your heart, I believe that this is a powerful way of enhancing your already existing prayer life.

WHY I BELIEVE THIS

Reason 1 – The prayers and words from the Bible are based on situations that actually occurred and the words have already been tried, tested and God approved of them or showed up victoriously in each situation in which they were uttered FROM THE HEART and WITH FAITH that he would intervene.

For example, there are words that God approved of and gave to Moses to give to Aaron, to say to the children of Israel, so that they would be blessed (Numbers 6:22-26).

There are also words that Jabez used in his prayer and God granted him his request. Of course, it was not the words that resulted in the outcome but Jabez went before God humbly and poured out his heart to him in faith.

It is important to remember therefore, that the power is not in reciting the words. There must be a genuine HEART CONNECTION with God when saying them and truly applying them to your own life and situation, so as to make the prayer effective and fervent.

Similarly, although words were given by God to Moses, for Aaron to use to bless the children of Israel, these are not words that can be magically used by Christians now, to attract blessings. God doesn’t operate in magic. Obedience to God’s Word and living right is still key, to him working supernaturally in our lives.

Reason 2 – I also intend to add prayers from God’s Word to my prayer life because while I have heard of what some Christians refer to as ‘warfare prayers’ to pray in times of battle, I have observed that the words used in such prayers are nowhere in the Bible. While I am not discounting those types of prayers therefore, I am cautious about them because the fact is there is no biblical basis for same.

The words used in such prayers strike me as strange and I admit, at a point of desperation in my life, I tried using some of them in the past. However because of my skepticism, I cannot say that I prayed those prayers in faith and so I stopped using them and don’t intend to ever use them again. I also asked the Lord for forgiveness, as I did not feel right about using those non-biblical words and expressions.

On the other hand, I have complete faith in the words used in the Bible. For, it is a fact, that when faced with a spiritual battle, there are no words that are higher or more powerful than words derived from the Word of God. The Bible states of God’s Word that:

• “…the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Reason 3 – Thirdly, God does not change. He is immutable and the same yesterday, today and forever. The words from his Word which worked in the past therefore and the prayers that he heard back then, can certainly be used in the present by Christians, to enhance their prayer life.

Having outlined my three (3) reasons for believing that using mainly words and phrases from the Bible, can enhance the Christian’s prayer life, at the end of this Article is one of the prayers I created from the Word of God, in terms of my own situation.

I am excited to see the effect it will have on my life, once I pray it in faith and from my heart, to God, through Jesus Christ.

Feel free to use it in your own situation as well, if it applies to your circumstances. Remember though that the power for change does not lie in the recitation of the words but in truly connecting with God from your heart and soul while praying and meaning every word you pray to him about.

You can also search the scriptures for other prayers that were used or words that were said which identify with you and your circumstance and create some prayers (if you wish) based on that, for you to pray to God.

Note though that I am not at all advocating that such prayers replace what you usually pray. I am simply stating that they can be used in addition to your already existing prayer time with God, to enhance your prayer life and in faith that God will show up, honour his Word and answer you (but as he sees fit).

I would recommend that before you use such prayers, you ensure that you repent before God (with your own words and genuinely from your heart), from any sins you may have committed and be committed to walking in his ways, wholeheartedly. If you are sinning and not repenting to God when you know you did wrong, saying a million prayers to attract God’s favour will not work. Remember, God is not mocked. Whatever you sow, that is what you will reap (Galatians 6: 7).

On a final note, I wish to remind you that there is no magic formula in the prayers. God is not a God of magic but of something far greater and authentic – miracles. For the Bible-filled prayers to be effective in my life and in yours therefore, I believe that the following preconditions should exist:

• 1 – You must be a genuine believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and pursuing him daily (If you are not a bona- fide Christian or are not sure, please see ‘The Abundant Life‘ series under the ‘SINGLE Daughters of God’ Page, for information on how you can become a believer in Jesus Christ).

• 2 – You must pray from the heart, effectually, fervently, meaning what you say and truly applying it to your own life circumstances.

• 3 – You must pray with the faith, that God is able to do what you are asking him to do for you and that he will do it, unless he has a better plan for your life.

• 4 – You must believe that God honours his Word and therefore, that a prayer from the heart, fueled with faith and using his Word is very powerful in breaking yokes and opening doors.

• 5 – You must be prepared to wait patiently (maybe weeks, months or even years) on the Lord and on his timing, to see the changes you are asking him for (and if they are within his will), to manifest in your life.

THE PRAYER I CREATED FROM THE WORD OF GOD FOR CLEANSING, HEALING, HOPE, STRENGTH, RESTORATION, FAVOUR, RESURRECTION POWER, TO REVERSE AND CHANGE CIRCUMSTANCES, STERILITY, BARRENNESS, A WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE AND ADVERSITY.

(Based on the following Scriptures: Ezekiel 36 & 37; 1 Chronicles 4:10; Numbers 6:24; Ephesians 3:6-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

I pray that your kindgom will come and that your will will be done on earth even as it is being done in heaven.

Please raise me up out of the dust and lift me out of the dunghill. Take what seemeth to be impossible to change in my life and change it Lord because with you all things are possible.

Sprinkle clean water upon me and cleanse me from all my filthiness and from all my idols. Give me a new heart and I ask that you put a new spirit within me. Take away the stony heart out of my flesh and give me a heart that is sensitive to your will.

Cause me to walk in your statutes, to keep your judgments and to do them. Save me from all uncleanness, increase my corn and lay no famine upon me.

Multiply the fruit of the tree of my life and the increase of the field, that I shall receive no more reproach of famine among the heathen. Cause me, after you have cleansed me from all my iniquities, to dwell in the cities and cause the wastes to be builded and the desolate land of my life to be filled, despite the fact that it has been desolate in the sight of all that passed by.

Cause the heathen and all that are about, to say: This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

Then Lord, they shall know that you the Lord are a God that builds the ruined places and plants that that was desolate.

Cause breath to enter the dry bones of my life, so that I shall live. Lay sinews upon me and bring up flesh upon me and cover me with skin and put breath in me, so that I shall live and be reminded that you are Lord. Breathe your wind into the areas of my life that are as if they were slain, that they may live. Help me to stand on my feet as part of your exceeding great army. Let not my bones be dried and my hope lost. Let me not be cut off but open the graves in the areas that have remained dead in my life and bring me up out of them.

Remove barrenness from my life, grant me a family of my own and cause me to keep house, to your glory.

Thank you for your grace that is sufficient for me. Let your strength be made perfect in my weakness.

Bless me indeed (as I obey you) and enlarge my coast. Let your hand be with me and keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me.

Bless me and keep me. Make your face to shine upon me and be gracious unto me. Lift up your countenance upon me and give me peace.

Grant me according to the riches of your glory and strengthen me with might by your Spirit, in the inner man. I pray that Christ may dwell in my heart by faith and that I would be rooted and grounded in love, so that I would be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height and know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge.

Help me to be filled with your fullness. Sanctify me wholly and let my whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I ask for all of these things, having full faith in your ability to grant them, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Written on 25th September, 2017)