Prayers similar to ‘Now I lay me down to sleep’ or ‘God is great, God is good’ were how I prayed for years. They were familiar and comfortable, and honestly, I didn’t know any other way to pray.
However, years ago, when my daughter was diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, I needed more than familiar and comfortable. I needed powerful, God-moving prayer. Memorized and rote prayers were not enough.
Not knowing much about prayer, I intentionally connected with women who knew how to pray. These women seemed to know how to storm the gates of heaven when they prayed, and that’s what I needed at this time.
Whenever I prayed for my daughter with one of them, I was immediately comforted and uplifted. I’d never felt closer to God. And when they said, “Amen!”, I knew heaven had heard, and an answer was coming. And often it did!
Although these women hardly knew each other, they shared a commonality.
They prayed the Scriptures. Praying the Scriptures is powerful.
Praying the Scriptures is when we take God’s Word and pray it back to Him. Praying the Scriptures unleashes God’s power into our circumstances. It’s the most effective way we can touch others and make a difference in our own lives.
One of these women shared an analogy I’ve never forgotten. She asked me to picture launching something more powerful than an atomic bomb into the situation for which I am praying. That is exactly what we are doing when we pray God’s Word.
While I would not consider myself a prayer warrior, I’ve learned the basic principles of powerful prayer found in the Bible. As a result, I’ve seen God move mountains – BIG mountains in my daughter’s life, my marriage and family, in ministry, and in the lives of people I care for deeply. I’ve also seen God do what I considered impossible!
Please know, God does not always answer me with an affirmative. Sometimes He seems to say, ‘No’ or ‘Wait.’ At other times, there’s silence. In fact, there are several things I’ve been praying for years with relative silence from God…
While it can be very discouraging, I’m not giving up. I’ve been taught the key to powerful prayer, and I know with great certainty that I’m praying God’s will in these situations, so I know He will answer in His time.
If you want to learn the most effective way we can touch others and make a difference in our own lives, you’ll love Tara’s NEW BOOK about the power of praying the Scriptures.
The Rapture of the Church
Speakers: Brian and Denita Thomas
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