Praying God’s Word

Week 31, Friday

Liliana Lewis

You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4:2-3

Why is it that we Christians are lacking at times? One answer is found in James 4:2. It is because we do not ask God or because we are asking with the wrong motive. Many years ago, I heard my husband teach from this passage. He led us to realize that one way we can know we are praying according to God’s heart is by praying His Word. The unsearchable treasures that come from praying God’s Word are eternal! His Word is life! His Word is true!

Today, let’s take His Word in our hands and pray it back to God with a pure heart. For example:

In adoration: “I praise You, Lord! I exalt You with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are Your works, my Lord. I ponder all of them. I delight in Thy works! Glorious and majestic are Your deeds, and Your righteousness endures forever!” (see Psalm 111).

In confession: Take time to confess specific sin and then pray His Word. For instance: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

In thanksgiving: “Thank You, God, for You are good. Thank You, God of gods, for Your love endures forever. Thank You, for You alone do great wonders and Your love endures forever!” (see Psalm 136).

In supplication: “[I pray that] your love may abound [in me] more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that [I] may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11). As we intercede for others, we can place their names throughout the Scripture as we are praying.

Oh the peace of knowing we are praying according to His heart, His Word! Beloved, let it not be said of us we don’t have because we don’t ask God. Let’s bring our request to Him. Let’s pray His Word!

My beloved Father, I thank You for hearing me when I pray. Guide me to ask according to Your will so that I may receive your blessings. In Jesus’ name, amen.