01/25/2021
Where do we keep God’s Word? Do we keep it in our bedroom next to our bed to read at night? Is it beside that place where we sit to rest so that in the quiet times we can contemplate it? Scripture tells us to keep God’s Word with us always, to bind it to our fingers as if it were our works, and to copy it onto our heart as a scribe might. The Word of God is meant to be with us always.
“My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you;
bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 7:1, 3 ESV
Scripture tells us that the Word predates the beginning of creation, and that the Word was with God, and was God. So if the Word is God then where else should we carry it than in our hearts, souls, and minds... always.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1 KJV
The Word is more than a subject of meditation, it is also the foundation and essence of our prayer, and just as we should keep the Word with us always, so we are told to pray without ceasing. Praying God’s Word is a wonderful way to enter into our prayer time, especially when we are at a loss as to how we should pray. Letting God’s Word become our prayer is a blessing layered atop a blessing. Many books have been written on this subject to help us, but we can quickly find many verses in Psalms that are appropriate to pray, and a good example is Psalm 102:17 which reads like this...
“he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.”
Psalm 102:17 ESV
And a way we can pray this verse is like this:
“Father hear my prayer for I am destitute, and do not despise my words for I am lost in them.”
Or like this:
“Lord thank you for hearing my prayer for I am destitute, and thank you for not despising the words I pray.”
Praying scripture is powerful and Jesus did so from the cross. Listen to these words from Psalm 22 and 31, and see if they are not familiar to you...
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?”
Psalm 22:1 ESV
And...
“Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”
Psalm 31:5 ESV
So if Jesus used scripture in prayer, we too should pray scripture, and do so as we are praying without ceasing.
“Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 KJV
So we are meant to pray and mull over God’s Word all day and night. It should be our constant meditation as we go about our daily lives, and the foundation of our prayers. If we do this then we will be prosperous, and successful in everything we do because our lives will be rooted in God’s will. We should hold His Word in our mouths like travelers in the desert hold a small stone in their mouths to stave off thirst. In the Word we find our spiritual thirst quenched, and we are refreshed.
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word, and the inspiration it brings to our prayers. Thank you Lord for being with us always, and the refreshment your Word provides us throughout our days and nights. Your Word is with you Father, and is you as it is poured into our hearts. Give us remembrance and understanding through your Holy Spirit as we lean on you in our lives. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God as you speak yourself into us, and bless us without ceasing as we meditate upon your Word. Praised be your name for your answers to our prayer, and for the wisdom and knowledge we derive from your every Word. Great are you Lord, and your Word is like a two edged sword that separates our intentions from our actions, and reminds us to remain faithful to you always. Hear our prayers Father, and guide us in them through your Holy Spirit. You are loving and merciful Lord, and by your grace, which flows through Jesus Christ, we are redeemed from the clutches of sin, and death. We thank you for the cleansing blood of your Son, and pray that you will find us worthy of eternity with you through His life, death, and resurrection. Until the day of His return we hold you close in our hearts, pray your Words each day, and receive your blessings upon blessings through our belief and faith in you.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV
Rich Forbes