The Simplest Way to Pray Powerful Prayers
There are a handful of people that I know that are known for prayer. I’ll bet you’ve got a list too.
Mona, one of the mentors you’ve heard me talk about often, leads those that I think of as “prayer warriors”, those who approach prayer with confidence. There are others– Jean, Rey and Tara just to name a few– but they all have one thing in common. These are women whose prayers are a fabric of scripture.
Just last night, I spent time praying over an upcoming conference in my area with Tara’s team, and her influence was obvious. The team prayed with their Bibles open, repeating God’s Word back to Him with faith and expectation. They aren’t women who think they can demand and manipulate God with His own words (I’ve seen that version too!). Instead, they’re women who know that God is faithful. His promises are true and dependable. And they know that praying Scripture keeps them solidly in His realm, the place where His will reigns.
I listened, and I participated. The prayers laced with Truth rose to heaven, but they soaked into my bones too. With 2018 being the year of “Pray”, I paid attention and longed. Can I confess to you? I’ve known this truth for a long time.
I’ve known this truth, but I haven’t implemented this truth. This morning I had to take a look and ask why? Here are the wrong beliefs rooted in insecurity that have kept me from praying more powerfully as I integrate God’s Word:
Prayer isn’t my gift.
I’m going to war on this lie! Prayer is a gift to all of us because it’s simply talking to God who gives us full access. I do believe that some are given a special ability to pray so that they can lead us. Wendy Blight, for example, writes out the most annointed prayers for our Proverbs 31 team, but I don’t have to allow myself to be intimidated by her gift. I want to learn from it! As we pray, God doesn’t expect us to sound like anyone else. In fact, since He created us and knows us better than anyone, He’s probably surprised when we do!
Those people are more spiritual than I am.
I’ve fallen into the wrong belief that some gifts are more “spiritual” than others. Mine run more along practical, get ‘er done lines, and I’ve considered them less than. Paul tells us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. (I Cor. 12:4-6 NIV) Let’s stand secure in our own natural God-given gifts while growing in others. Prayer is my growth gift this year!
I don’t know scripture well enough.
This really gets to the root of what has held me back, and there’s some truth to it. I don’t have enough scripture memorized. But I took note of the women last night with their Bibles open. I need to start somewhere, so praying with my Bible open is where I’ll start.
Here’s how I’m fighting those insecurities:
The last two days I’ve written out prayers based on my morning First 5 study. Here’s what it has looked like:
II Kings 18: 5-8, “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory. (NIV)
My prayer: Lord, I want to be a woman who trusts You completely. Make me stand beyond compare in my place in Your story. Help me to held fast to You, never ceasing to follow You and obeying Your commands. I want to be successful in all that I undertake for Your glory. Empower me to resist my enemy, Satan, and give me victory against him. Amen.
II Kings 19:30, “Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah will take root below and bear fruit above.” (NIV)
My prayer: Lord, make me part of your remnant with deep roots below and abundant fruit above.
See how that works? I’m just getting started, but I love how God is teaching me simple ways to pray that are do-able for me right where I am!
If you prayed a prayer based on scripture today, I’d love to hear it.
It is a wonderful and beautiful way to reinforce what you read, forcing you to look at the situation and put personal meaning to your life., which will ignite intimacy between you and God. We can (I can) have a tendency to read and overlook truly what God is saying or may be saying to us personally.
I followed you to your blog after reading today’s Proverbs devotion. I love this idea on how to pray. I would love to see more of these as well. I know these were posted when we studied 1 and 2 kings, so this is an older post of yours, but it has my wheels turning. I am now going to go and read my first 5, I believe we are on Amos chapter 3 today and see if I can pray my prayer from that reading today. All of the women from Proverbs 31 ministry have taught me so much. I’m 63 and still learning how to pray. Amazing. I love everyone of you at Proverbs 31 and the work you do with the love of God in you.
Precious Father, help me to put on the full armor of God again today. Help me to stand firm with the belt of truth around my waist. The breastplate of righteousness in place, and my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Help me to take up the shield of faith which I can distinguished all the firey darts of the evil one. Help me to take up the helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit, which is Your Word. In Jesus Christ Precious and Holy Name. Amen!
Oh thank you for sharing so openly. I love to pray but I find myself praying for other people based on prayer requests. I find myself asking God for things and occasionally thanking him but it has become more of a “here’s my requests”. I love your post. It reminds me to get back to where I once was – praying for HIS leading; surrendering to HIS ways; praying scripture as a promise and direction for my prayers. Thank you for this reminder and for being so authentic!
This is very helpful! Thank you so much!
Will you do more?
I’m so glad it’s been helpful, Tawny! Yes, I’ll continue sharing as I learn through the year. 🙂
Thank you Amy for this inspiring fresh aspect on Prayer, can’t wait to open my bible and get start , thank you and blessings
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me ” Philippians 3 :13 :
I’ve learned to pray since the age of nine now I’m sixty six ,never could start my day without prayer ,at nine it was a ritual ,as I’ve grown to know God through Jesus ,it’s a passion .,because I know He love me so much ,I share His Word daily with others ,I journal ,I witness ,I pray ,I praise His Holy Name ,I love the Lord .I just can’t live without prayer .
Linda, I’m following in your footsteps! I feel that way about studying Scripture, and I’m learning to feel that way about prayer. Thanks for your encouragement!
Linda, I’m glad you mentioned that prayer started out as a “ritual” and then turned into a passion. So many grown up Christians start off with expectation in their prayer life, only to quit too soon because they don’t “feel” what they are saying to God. But prayer takes an effort and you will eventually feel in your heart what you are praying from your lips, if it’s rooted in Scripture. I love what Dr. Charles Stanley said: “We can thank Him with our lips before [until] we can thank Him with our hearts.” The great thing about praying Scripture is you’re not only praying the will of God for your life (and Jesus promised the answer to that kind of prayer would be a definite yes), but you’re also learning and reinforcing the Word in your heart and increasing your confidence and faith in God!
Carol, your insights here on our wrong beliefs that hold us back from praying are pure gold. I’ve struggled with each one of those. I’m sharing this with a group I’m in, and I know it will encourage them as much as it has encouraged me today! Thank you for sharing and for being transparent. It’s good to know we’re all on this together and can fight those lies that hold us back!
Thanks, Leslie! Yes, I love that we’re journeying together.
Yes! Such good reminders! Thanks!
Thank you so much for revealing this to us today, sweet Amy. Your honesty is beautiful and links us together, making your teachings sink so much more easily into our hearts.
<3<3<3 to you, Ellen!
I prayed out John 10:10 and stressed on the part that Jesus came that I would have life, abundantly. My prayer, my lord I will trust and stay with you in this darkest season and place in my life and trust that you will bring light,direction and resolution to all that the devil has tried to steal,kill and destroy. In Jesus name, amen!
Yes, Lord. I join Camille in praying for your abundant life for her!