Praying the Word

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This article offers assistance in “Praying the Word.” As Paul wrote, “…pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).

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by Doug Maxwell

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is Truth” (John 17:17).

For an introduction and commentary, I defer to Derek Prince. His ministry extended over 50 years as a subject expert on the subjects of prayer and deliverance. Derek Prince authored over 100 very informative books, and shared thousands of recorded radio/audio/video messages. Derek’s ministry continues today around the world after he went Home to be with the Lord in 2003.

https://www.derekprince.com/en-us/about

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Introduction

In his book “Secrets of a Prayer Warrior” Derek writes, “God searches the thoughts and intents of our hearts, and discerns our motives.” Then, he quotes 1st Samuel 16:7, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Derek continues, “[God] is not concerned merely with what we ask for when we pray; He is also concerned as to why we want it. This is explained more fully in this verse: ‘You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures’ (James 4:2–3).

If our prayers are self-centered, our motives are wrong. We are simply aiming to get something for our own creature comfort and personal satisfaction.

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You see, the great issue in prayer is the will of God.

If I am praying according to the will of God, then, as we have seen in Scripture, I know that God hears me. And if I know that God hears me, I know that I have the petition that I ask.

How do I know the will of God? Where is the will of God revealed? The answer is in His Word.

Jesus stated it clearly: “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

Jesus gave a comprehensive promise: Whatever we ask in His name, He will do. But the basis on which He will do it is this: ‘that the Father may be glorified in the Son.’”

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Derek also writes, “God wants each of us set free from the negative pull of sin and restored to the right motive and the right purpose of living. When we come to Him and pray with that motive—that God may be glorified in answering prayer that is offered in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ—then He says something truly wonderful.

He says that all of His promises are made available to us: ‘For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God’ (2nd Corinthians 1:20).”

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One last important comment from Derek before presenting examples of Praying the Word:

“The great revelation of the will of God is the Word of God. And the Word of God is packed from beginning to end with divine promises. The apostle Peter calls them ‘exceedingly great and precious promises’ (2nd Peter 1:4).”

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Scriptures Support Praying the Word

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

“…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the Word…” (Ephesians 25:26).

“The entrance and unfolding of Your words give Light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple” (Psalm 119:130).

“Send out Your Light and Your Truth! Your Word is Truth. Let them lead me, bringing me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle” (Psalm 43:3).

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“If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:7-8).

“And I will do whatever you ask in My name, as My representative, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son” (John 14:13, Amplified Translation).

“Do not be quick with your mouth or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2).

Jesus said, “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).

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Jesus gives us a prayer outline in the book of Matthew with these words.

“May Your kingdom come and what You want be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. Give us our daily bread [spiritual and physical food needed for each day]. Forgive us for our sins, just as we have forgiven those who sinned against us” (Matthew 6:9-15, Expanded Translation).

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Forgiving Others

Jesus is our example in this regard (Luke 23:34). He didn’t need to speak to each person who abused Him, but asked His Father to forgive them.

He didn’t need to say to anyone, “I forgive you.” His prayer to Father God was sufficient. Our sincere prayer to our Father in Heaven is also sufficient.

A confessional prayer should be between you and the Lord, then offer a prayer to your Father in Heaven. The following is simply an example of forgiving others.

“Jesus, you said that when I forgive others reckless or willful offenses towards me, letting those thoughts and feeling go, not holding a grudge, giving up resentment, then my heavenly Father will also forgive me of my offenses. But, if I do not forgive others, this interferes with my relationship with Father God, and He will not forgive my offenses (Matthew 6:14).

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This is a requirement You’ve given me that I take very seriously because while on the cross in intense physical pain, You asked Father God to forgive those who humiliated You, mocked You, pulled out the hair of Your beard, slapped and whipped You, and nailed You to that cross. Thank you for that example of asking forgiveness to those who did more to you than I pray to never experience.

I ask that the Holy Spirit bring to my mind’s attention any offenses from anyone or from any authority, employer or government agency that was offensive to me or wronged me so that ~ I willingly ask Father God to forgive them and release any resentments in Your name. Thank you.”

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Praying the Word

Spiritual Approach to Prayer

“Father God, the Word tells me,  ‘…the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers’ (1st Peter 3:12). Also, ‘The fervent prayers of a righteous person has great power’ (James 5:16).

Jesus, You have given me a breastplate of righteousness, which is Faith and Love (1st Thessalonians 5:8-9). Lord, I embrace Your perfect righteousness because my righteousness is filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). Thank You for covering me with Your robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), so that I am righteousness before Father God.

Knowing this Truth, Father God, I approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, so that I receive mercy and find grace at the time of my request before You, in Jesus’ name, Amen” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

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Blessing of Peace and Grace for Others and You

“Blessed be the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, Who blessed me with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places through Your Son. Because You, my Heavenly Father, chose me before the foundation of the world so that I would be holy and blameless before You. Thank you Father for Your grace and peace given to me through my Savior and Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Ephesians 1:2-4).

Also ~

“The Lord bless [me and/or name of adult and/or children] and keep [me and/or their name]; Lord make Your face shine upon [me and/or their name] and be gracious to [me and/or their name]; Lord lift up Your countenance upon [me and/or their name] and give [me and/or their name] peace. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Numbers 6:23–26).

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Spiritual Wisdom, Understanding and Strength

“I ask Father God that I be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that I live life in a manner worthy of my Lord, pleasing Him in all respects of my life, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to You who has qualified me to share in the inheritance of the saints, as a morally blameless child in the Light.

For You rescued me from the domain of darkness, and transferred me to the kingdom of Your beloved Son, in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of all my sins. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Colossians 1:9-14).

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Discernment and Making Good Choices

“Father God, I pray…that my love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge, being sure, with all discernment, so that I discover the things that are excellent, that I be sincere, genuine and no wavering or not trip up, seeing the difference between good and bad, choosing the good until the day of Jesus’ return, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus, for the glory and praise of You. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Philippians 1:8-11, Expanded Translation).

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Confidence in My Faith

I am thankful to be Your child Father, through my faith in Your Son, Jesus

“I’m confident that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing be able to separate me from Your love, which is in my Jesus, my Lord. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Galatians 3:26, Romans 8:38-39).

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Spirit of Wisdom, Comprehending My Hope with Spiritual Power

“I pray that You, Father God of my Lord, the Father of glory, grant me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation, giving me a deep, personal and intimate insight into the true knowledge of You because I know You through Your Son.

And I pray that the eyes of my heart, which is the very center and core of my being, be enlightened and flooded by the light of the Holy Spirit, so that I will know and cherish Hope, which is a Divine guarantee with confident expectation, that You called me.

And, to know the riches of Your glorious inheritance for Your children, so that I will know the immeasurable, unlimited and surpassing greatness of Your active, spiritual power that is in us who believe (Ephesians 1:17-19, Romans 15:13).

Now, I pray that You, my Heavenly Father of peace, that You Yourself sanctify me, ceremonially purify me completely, so  my whole spirit, soul and body is kept blameless at the coming of my Lord Jesus Christ.

You who calls me to Yourself is faithful and trustworthy, and will do it. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (1st Thessalonians 5:23-24).

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Equipping

“I pray, You the God of peace, Who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus ~ the Good Shepherd of the sheep ~ by His shed blood, establishing an everlasting covenant, equip me with everything good in order to do Your will, by working in me what is pleasing in Your sight, through my Lord, to Whom be glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ name, Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

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Armor of Light

“Lord, Your word tells me, “You are the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” ‘ And, You are the One who lights my lamp. Therefore, I cast off the works of darkness, and put on the Armor of Light. I commit my will to Father God; putting my trust in the LORD, knowing He will act. In Jesus’ name, Amen”     (Psalm 36:9, Psalm 34:5-6, Psalm 18:28,  Romans 13:12, Matthew 6:10, , Psalm 37:5, Isaiah 26:3-4).

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Whole Armor of God Prayer

https://heavenawaits.wordpress.com/whole-armor-of-god-prayer/

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Closing

I trust this article was informative and a blessing.

Thank you Father for Your wisdom and blessings in and through all that I do and say as a disciple of Your Son (Psalm 25:4-5) and member of His Church. I pray Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, and within me as it is in Heaven. In Jesus name I pray, Amen (Matthew 6:10).