February 8
“I am watching over My word to perform it.” (Jeremiah 1:12)
While on this topic of prayer, I wanted to share something that I am still learning.
I will be really honest, I am not what you would call a great “prayer warrior.” I do pray – but it is not one of my favorite things to do. Which is strange… because I have studied about prayer (and praying) a great deal. I know the value of prayer – I teach about the power of prayer. I have just always struggled to be that dedicated to prayer. As I’m sure most of you will attest… knowing about something and doing something about what you know are entirely different things.
It’s possible that I might not be alone. There may be some of you who would openly declare the wonder and value of prayer – but when it comes right down to it… you just may have other things you would rather spend your time doing.
There’s a lot going on here… but I think (for me at least) it comes down to that sense of wondering: “Is God really listening? Does He really Personally care about what I am going through? Do the words I’m praying really matter? Am I praying the RIGHT words?”
In other words, am I praying the kind of prayers that really get God’s attention? And if I’m not, well… what’s the point?
Don’t get me wrong… I’m sure that God hears all of our prayers – but are there prayers where He actually stops… and LISTENS intently?
I think that there really are those types of prayers – and I am learning just what kind those may be.
Our verse for today brings the manner of prayer that gains God’s attention… to OUR attention. It is subtle… but powerful when we grasp what God is saying.
In short, God is telling us that He wants to do some things on this earth. Powerful things. Miraculous things. God-type things. And there is only one key that “triggers” the Almighty activity of God… It is HIS Word.
We all know that what God says… happens (see Creation!). His word is powerful. Unstoppable. Whenever God speaks… His Word changes things.
It occurs to me, then, that what we are really wanting God to do is to SAY something in our situations of need, in the struggles of our lives, in the circumstances that require His intervention. IF we can just get God to speak the word over our issue or problem… issue resolved. Problem solved. God is glorified.
But how do we get God to say something over our lives? How do we possibly convince the Almighty to speak over us? What words can we use that could ever gain His attention… or His Voice (maybe, this is why we struggle to pray??!).
The solution just may be this simple… we just need to speak what God has already spoken. Maybe the power of prayer is found in praying God’s already spoken words over our situations, our problems, our concerns – over the loved ones in our lives.
THIS is the lesson I am learning (still!)…
Step 1: Defining the issues of my life (and of the people in my life).
Step 2: Seeking out GOD’S WORDS for that situation (in the pages of Scripture).
Step 3: Praying that Scripture (God’s Word) over that situation or over that person.
An example is in order… In praying for my adult kids, I draw from the apostle’s prayer in Ephesians 3:15-19…
It is a simple thing, yes. But it makes sense, that if God truly “watches over His Word to perform it” – maybe the best thing we can do is pray HIS Word.
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