Praying The Scriptures (The Key to Effective Prayer)

ALL PRAISE TO THE MOST HIGH GOD.

As you begin to grow in the things of The Most High God, you will begin to realize the need for utilizing scripture in every aspect of your life including prayer. The Bible clearly states that through knowledge you will be delivered (PROVERBS 11 verse 9). There is nowhere in scripture where it is stated that through miracle oil or your pastor laying hands on you or by paying tithe or through the covering of your ancestors you will be delivered. The scripture is clear, "through knowledge shall the just be delivered" (PROVERBS 11 verse 9) which is why we are called to study to show ourselves approved unto God (2 TIMOTHY 2 verse 15). You see, the mountain of your trouble is only as big as the mountain of your ignorance. Knowledge cancels out ignorance, there is no other way around it.

Since our battle is not against flesh and blood but dark forces that inhabit the spiritual realm (EPHESIANS 6 verse 12), the Bible calls us to take the helmet of salvation and the Word of God which is the Sword of The Spirit (EPHESIANS 6:17). 

FAITH IN GOD'S WORD VS FAITH IN A SITUATION

There is prayer that is rooted in faith in God and his Word and then there is prayer that is rooted in faith in the hopelessness of a situation. The difference between the two prayers lies entirely in the usage of God's Word.

Listen, when you kneel down to pray and cry to God, he already knows what you are coming to ask for (MATHEW 6 verse 8) but the true question is do you know God's promises concerning your situation?

God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings (EPHISIANS 1 verse 3) that are awaiting physical manifestation. When many of us find ourselves in difficult situations we become so clouded with despair to the point that we completely forget to run to the Word of God which is God (JOHN 1 verse 1). When you use God's Word in prayer you are showing God that you have faith in his Word because it is impossible to please God without faith, which is why he rewards those who diligently seek him (HEBREWS 11 verse 6). 

God urges us to remind him of his Word (ISAIAH 43 verse 26). The reason for this is not because He forgets his Word, the reason is because He wants to see whether you remember his Word and are in agreement with his promises. It is easy to just kneel down and complain to God about your situation but using scripture in prayer shows a higher level of maturity, diligence and commitment to to The Most High  God.

Satan once tried to tempt Jesus Christ by stating that "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread" (MATTHEW 4 verse 3). But Jesus Christ answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" (Referring to DEUTERONOMY 8 verse 3). Satan further tried to deceive Christ into committing suicide by prompting Christ to jump off a cliff because according to him " For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone" (MATTHEW 4 verse 7) (Deceptively quoting PSALMS 91 verses 11 - 12).

How did Christ respond to this? He simply stated that "You shall not tempt the Lord your God" (Referring to DEUTERONOMY 6 verse 16).

From the interaction between Christ and Satan there are a few take aways: 

1. Christ did not need to perform miracles to ward off Satan, God's Word was more than enough. 
2. We also see a practical example of the benefits and importance of the spiritual principal that God's Word is the "food" for the Spirit. (see 1 PETER 2 verse 2, 1 CORINTHIANS 3 verses 1 to 3). 
3. And lastly, we learn that Satan knows the Word of God like the back of his hand and it is his duty to manipulate it in order to deceive you (also remember the dream of ELIPHAZ in JOB 4 verses 12 - 21 ). 

Since you are dealing with an adversary who knows The Word of God, it is in your best interest to use the scriptures as authority at every chance you get in order to avoid perishing for lack of knowledge (HOSEA 4 verse 6). Lucky for you, The Most High God is the one who grants Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding (PROVERBS 2 verse 6) so all you need to do is simply ask for it and you shall receive (MATTHEW 7 verse 7).

Look at the story of Solomon, he went to God to plead for wisdom and knowledge in order for him to be a fair ruler to his people but The Most High God was so impressed with his request that he did not only grant him wisdom, but riches and honor as well (2 CHRONICLES verses 1 to 12). King Solomon understood he fact that "wisdom is the principal thing" (PROVERBS 4 verse 7) therefore he sought after it.

You see when you pray the scriptures, you will become more confident in your prayers because you are putting God into remembrance of his Word which does not return to him void (ISAIAH 55 verse 11). 

Since God knows everything that you are about to ask him, how many times when you pray do you put HIM in remembrance of his word?

Do your prayers display faith in God and his Word or faith in the hopelessness of your situation?

CONCLUSION

Now that you are armed with this understanding concerning prayer, here are a few practical ways in which you could revamp your prayer life: 

• If you are feeling lazy to study the Word of God, make a prayer that " God your Word makes it clear that man shall not live by bread alone but out of every word that comes out of the mouth of the LORD (DEUTERONOMY 8 VERSE 3), therefore I refuse to be destroyed for lack of knowledge (HOSEA 4 verse 6) and plead with you to give me the spirit of knowledge since it is only you who can give me this" (PROVERBS 2 verse 6). 

• Whenever you feel depressed or anxious, pray that "I refuse to succumb to the spirit of fear because God has not given me such a spirit but one of power, love and a sound mind (2 TIMOTHY 1 verse 7) therefore I rebuke this foreign spirit in the name of  Jesus Christ and find comfort in your promise that you grant perfect peace to those whose mind are stayed on you" (ISAIAH 26 verse 3) 

• When you are praying and then you suddenly start feeling guilt and doubt as a result of all your past failures and transgressions,  use God's Word and say "I know I have sinned against you in the Past God but your word says that you are the one that blots out my transgressions and will not remember my sins (ISAIAH 43 verse 25) therefore I repent of my sins and confess them for I know that  you are just and will forgive me (1 JOHN 1 verse 9).