Praying with Power

        Think about it.  How did the world come into being?  “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:6)   “The worlds were prepared by the word of God.” (Hebrews 11:3)  “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made.  For He spoke, and it was done.  He commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:6,9)

Think about this.  How did Jesus resist the temptations of Satan?  When the tempter came commanding Jesus to turn the stones into bread, Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)  He used Scripture as well in the two other recorded temptations. (see Matthew 4:5-10)

God’s word is powerful, and Scripture is God’s word to us.  “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword….” (Hebrews 3:16)  Isaiah tells us plainly about the use of God’s word.  “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth.  It shall not return to Me empty without accomplishing what I desire….” (Isaiah 55:11)

What is the picture here?  Praying Scripture, the very word of God is praying with power, and it is praying God’s purposes.  Here’s what Jennifer Kennedy Dean writes in her book Live a Praying Life.*  “God does His work by His word.” (p. 116) “When one speaks God’s Words on earth, they impact the spiritual realm.” (p. 126) “He can release His power and His plans into the world through our prayers.” (p.144)

As we read the Bible, we can pray the Scripture back to God. (Place whatever pronoun or name you wish to put in each verse.) “Father, may I (my children…) follow your command to treat others as I wish to be treated. (Luke 6:31) Teach me to love your ways and trust in your Word. (Proverbs 3:5-6)  Give me the grace to not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessings. (1 Peter 3:9)  Protect my mind so that no one takes me captive through deceptive philosophy that depends on human tradition and the principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)  Help me to be strong in You and in Your mighty power.  May I put on the full armor of God and stand against the devil’s schemes. (Ephesians 6:10-11)  Keep watch over the door of my lips.  May my heart not be drawn to what is evil or take part in wicked deeds. (Psalm 141:3-4) Give to my neighbor (family member, classmate, co-worker) the opportunity to hear your plan of salvation so that he/she may be rescued from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13) and come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)  Whatever I eat or drink or whatever I do, may I do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

God begins to work in us when we ask Him.  Praying Scripture opens up the door releasing the power of God to work in our lives, our homes, our churches and in our circumstances.

*Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Live a Praying Life, New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, Alabama; 2003.

Prayer Ministry Team,

  Alice Rutter

Moms In Prayer International (Formerly Moms In Touch)

Mondays 5:30 p.m.

Agape Family Life Church

Please join moms, grandmothers, and aunts in praying for our children, schools and teachers in the Richlands area.  

We are praying as a community of believers for the safety and well-being of our children. 

 “Mom, will you pray for me?”  

For more information, please contact the church office.