By Kim Butts
Praying Scripture is powerful and effective because:
1. Jesus is the Word.(John 1:1-2, 14)
2. It is the example of Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11)
3. It is the example of the early Church.(Book of Acts; Acts 4:23-31)
4. His Word is His will. (Timothy 3:16-17)
- Scripture teaches us to know and fulfill God’s will. (John 5:14-15)
- Scripture teaches us God’s will for His Kingdom (Knowing what is on God’s heart). (John 6:38, John 14:10, John 13:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Matthew 9:37-38, John 17:20-26)
- Scripture teaches God’s will for our place in His Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 48:17, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 119:105, Romans 12:2)
5. God’s Word allows us to pray the blessings and purposes of God for ourselves and others. (1 Timothy 4:12, Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 16; Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
6. Praying the Word gives us confidence and power in our prayer. (John 15:7, Matthew 21:22, 1 John 5:14-15)
7. The Word of God gives us a beautiful, full, rich vocabulary of prayer. (Psalm 145 and the rest of the book of Psalms)
8. The Word of God helps us to keep our prayer lives fresh and exciting. (Hebrews 4:12, John 15:7)
9. The word of God is flawless. (Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30)
10. The Word of God will stand forever. (Luke 21:33, 1 Peter 1:25, Psalm 119:89)
11. Praying the Word of God helps us to develop an intimate relationship with Him and a desire to know Him better. (Psalm 63:1-8)
12. His Word reminds us to stay focused upon Him in prayer. (Psalm 141:8a, 2 Chronicles 20:12c)
13. Praying the Word, which is the sword of the Spirit, gives us authority to stand against the enemy. (Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalm 44:5, Psalm 8:2)
14. Praying the Word of God and hearing it prayed, builds our faith in God’s ability to hear and answer. (Romans 10:17, James 5:15)
15. Praying the Word of God allows the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. (Ephesians 6:17, John 14:26)
16. Praying the Word of God gives us an expression of confession for our sinful natures. (Luke 18:13)
17. Praying the Word of God protects us from sin. (Psalm 119:11)
18. Praying the Word helps us to pray about our own obedience to the Word. (Psalm 119:33-37, James 1:22)
19. Praying the Word out loud brings blessing when we obey what we hear. (Luke 11:28)
20. His Word will always accomplish what He desires. (Isaiah 55:11)
21. The promises of His Word encourage and uplift us. (Joshua 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11-13)
22. Praying God’s Word is powerful because it is the TRUTH. (John 17:17, John 8:31-32, Psalm 33:4, Ephesians 1:13)
23. It pleases the heart of God to respond to prayers that delight Him, and we know that His Word gives Him pleasure. (1 John 3:21-22)
24. The boldness of praying the Word strengthens our witness to unbelievers. (1 Peter 2:15)
25. Praying the Word helps us to stand on a firm foundation. (Luke 6:47-48)
26. Praying the Word of God helps us to receive all that God has created with thankfulness and to set these things apart as holy. (1 Timothy 4:4-5, Psalm 33:6, 1 Chronicles 16:23-36)
27. We should pray Scripture SO THAT God is honored and glorified. (John 11:4, John 14:13, Psalm 145:10-12).If you would like to be discipled in praying the Word, we recommend Pray the Word to you.
Kim Butts is the vice president for networks at Harvest Prayer Ministries. This article may be freely circulated as long as a link to harvestprayer.com is included.