Second Timothy 3:16 tells us all scripture is “God-breathed.” The Greek word in this passage is theopneustos. It is the living, breathing, active Word of God that brings life and truth to all those who read it.
When you open your Bible, you’re not reading words meant only for an ancient civilization. You are actively becoming part of a never-ending story that God began long before you came into existence.
There is incredible power when you take those words, spoken and inspired by God over thousands of years, and repeat them back to Him in prayer. You pray not your own thoughts, priorities, and desires, but you become an active participant in bringing God’s plan and kingdom to earth.
So many times, we look at prayer as something separate from reading the Bible. It’s something we do before or after we read His Word. But what if instead, we look at them together and consider prayer as an extension of our Bible reading? As we study the Word of God, it reveals His heart to us. The things that He cares about, the things that move Him, should also be what move us when we know His heart.
Often, our prayers are so self-focused and self-centered on our wants and desires that we fail to step into the God-breathed supernatural realm. His ways are far above our ways and His thoughts above our thoughts. We should be partnering with Him in His plans for us, not in our own. As we study His Word, we begin to go deeper and ask what matters to God, not just what matters to us. As we pray that Word, we ask that His will come to pass, that His promises be fulfilled in our lives and those we love and influence.
Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” We can confidently insert specific names into this scripture and pray for repentance and salvation for each one. That is praying according to His will.
As we seek healing for those we love, we pray Isaiah 53:5. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” His suffering and death bring healing and salvation to us today!
As you place your requests within the promises of His Word, it becomes easier to focus on God’s heart as you read the Bible. Just as in Genesis 2, when God breathed into man’s body the breath of life, it was more than just air. It was life itself given from the Spirit of God. As we pray the Word, that same life-giving breath changes our perspective. That living, breathing Word comes alive in the “right now” of our prayers and our needs.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7)
Abiding in His words, allowing them to soak down into our souls, changes our desires and requests of Him. Then we can pray with the full expectation that it will be done, and even more than we could ever expect or imagine.
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL WAS WRITTEN BY SHELLY STRINGFELLOW
