We have prayed now 30 times in the PrayerPodcastfor our nations government, leaders and those in authority who serve we the people. We pray finally from Psalm 67-
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.
Let us bow and remind the Lord of our petitions from brief prayers and ask the Lord to bless us and keep us, to make His face shine upon us and be gracious to us, the Lord lift up His countenance to us and give us peace (Numbers 6:24-26)
Prayer Insights … from E. M. Bounds
Prayer and God's Word
God’s church is called “a house of prayer”, which ought to show us the significance of praying as a church; and so then the Word of God — the Bible, could rightly be called the Book of Prayers. This is the great theme and message content to the people of God.
The Scriptures are the basis and the directory of our prayers of faith. As such, it should dwell in us richly, and as it does, it issues forth in praying. As Jesus says: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you will, and it will be done for you.”
The Word of God is the fulcrum upon which the lever of prayer is placed and by which things are mightily moved. (Bounds)
His Word is the basis, foundation, the inspiration, and guide for all our asking. From it we ask for His promises - from the Promiser, that is God Himself. So we ask in faith from the Word of God, in submission to the God of the Word.
What a big help are the Scriptures in our praying! If it be lodged in our hearts, it will form an out-flowing current of prayer, full and irresistible. Promises, stored in the heart, are to be the fuel from which prayer receives life and warmth…It is the food by which prayer is nourished and made strong.
He who would learn to pray well must first study God’s Word and store it in his memory and thought (Bounds)
For us to pray God’s will in prayer, we must be filled with God’s Word. We will continue this study later, but for now Bounds reminds us of Epaphras, how he prayed that the Colossians might stand “perfect and complete in all the will of God.” This is proof positive that, not only may we know the will of God, but that we may know all the will of God. And not only that, but we may do all the will of God, not sometimes or by impulse, but with a settled habit of conduct. Still further it shows us that we may do it not only externally, but from the heart, doing it cheerfully and without reluctance, nor drawing or holding back from the intimate presence of the Lord. 1
When we pray, let us use the Scriptures as our Guide and Manual
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are four passages we are praying from this week:
Thu - Colossians 1:9
Fri - James 1:5
Sat - James 3:17
Sun - Matthew 7:8
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Monday, grace and peace
from The Necessity of Prayer, Ch XII Prayer and God’s Word, by EM Bounds, Baker Book House
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
God's Word and Prayer