Living the Christian Life – Chapter 6: Pray According to God’s Word

Inspiration MinistriesBy Inspiration Ministries4 Minutes

Tremendous power is in the Word of God, whether spoken, prayed, or meditated upon.

“So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11 NASB).

When we pray the Scriptures in faith, we are speaking the life of God into the atmosphere. The wise intercessor wields the Sword of the Spirit––the Word of God––in prayer.

Be Persistent in Prayer

Jesus shared this parable while teaching on prayer:

“And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to
him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for
a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to
set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me;
the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot
get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and
give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence
he will rise and give him whatever he needs” (Luke 11:5-8 ESV).

Then Jesus added this instruction:

“And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks
receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks
it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10 ESV).

The literal translation of this passage reads: “Keep asking, and it will be given to you; keep seeking, and you will find; keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.” In addition to praying in faith, we must be persistent in our prayers.

Pray in Agreement

There is tremendous power when Christians come together to pray in agreement. Jesus declared:

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:19-20 NLT).

The psalmist declared, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! … For there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forever” (Psalm 133:1, 3 NASB). Unity among believers brings both power in prayer and the blessing of God.

Just as God blesses unity in prayer, so He blesses us as we gather as Christians in fellowship or church gatherings. This is the community of believers—and it is a tremendous place to grow in your faith and to use the gifts that God has placed within you. Learn more in chapter 7!

 



[1] Lewis, C.S. Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer. 9 April 2019. <https://cslewisthoughts.tumblr.com/post/184058488281/it-seems-to-me-we-must-conclude-that-such>.

[2] Lewis, C.S. “”Thy Will Be Done” – C.S. Lewis on the Third Petition, from Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer.” 10 December 2011. Pseudepigraphus. <https://www.pseudepigraph.us/2011/12/10/thy-will-be-done-c-s-lewis-on-the-third-petition-2/>.