Words are powerful, more powerful than you may realize. The words of God created the heavens and the universe. And since we are made in the image of God, it is your words that create the circumstances and accomplishments in your life. Every word a believer speaks, radically transform everything in your life that is out of line with the declarations and promises of God.
In other words, God’s Word is so powerful, it is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt, bitterness, or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We cannot get away from it- no matter what. God and his Word or one.
So, when we speak and pray the Scriptures, we are coming into agreement with God, and His power is released to answer our prayers. Just knowing that God’s Word in us is so powerful, to the point when we decree it, it is established.
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
When you use God’s own words by praying Scripture, we are aligning ourselves with his heart and praying according to his will, and His will is His Word. In other words, you are praying what He said, back to Him. What better way is there to give our prayer life new meaning?
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Do you know the first weapon Jesus used when He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness? It was the Word of God. It was His offensive weapon in battling the evil one and rejecting those temptations that were being thrown at Him in the wilderness.
How Do We Pray Scripture?
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, that the word of God does work. Jeremiah writes: “Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) God’s word is so, powerful. The word translated here as powerful is the source of our word energy. It means to say that God’s word has God’s power, his energy. There will come a time, you will need this word to lean on. As believers you need this word every single day. You need to read it, meditate on it, memorize it, and delight in it.
What Does It Mean to Pray Scriptures?
Praying scripture simply means to order your prayer around the Word of God, a particular passage in the Bible. Praying Scripture uses the words of a Bible verse or passage to guide your prayer. It is a powerful way to pray for several reasons.
- His Word is truth. – When we pray the Word, we are praying truth. In John 17:17, we are told to, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” These are the very same words Jesus prayed to God regarding His disciples! Even Jesus prayed the scriptures.
- God is bound by His Word. – By praying God’s Word back to Him, we are repeating God’s truth and promises about any situation. We are “reminding” God about what He is already written in His Word. His Word will never return void but will accomplish whatever He pleases, desires, and wills. His Word prospers wherever it goes! (Isaiah 55:11)
- It helps us understand Scripture and how to apply it to our lives. – Learning to pray Scriptures has broadened and deepened my prayers. It helps me stay focused on my prayer and teaches me how to meditate on the scriptures. As I turn Scripture into personal prayer, I am learning more about God and growing closer to Him.
How Do We Pray Scripture?
When you pray scripture, you are reading and reflecting on a small passage of Scripture, allowing that word you are reflecting on to sink into your hearts. If you need help, ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray.
The Bible says, “the Holy Spirit actually prays on our behalf when we don’t know what to say. So, allow the Holy Spirit to pray for you when you cannot think of what or how to pray yourself.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we do not know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. — Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)
The Holy Spirit shows us how to connect with God through prayer, and what better way to do that, is by using his own words in the Bible! And as you pray Scripture, you will find new ways to communicate to God too.
This is a message of scripture I love praying back to God. It’s in Isaiah 11:1-3, it says, “The Spirit of the Lord rest on me, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Fear of the Lord.
When I pray it back to God, I say,” Father, I thank you that the Spirit of the Lord rest on me, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understand, the Spirit of Counsel and Strength, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Fear of the Lord rest on me.
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: It shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. ISAIAH 55:11
When God says that His Word will not return to Him void, we can know that He has an intention for His Word. God’s Word is from above. He “breathed out” His words to us, and they were recorded in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16). Every word He gave us is purposeful and was given for a reason.
Related: Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God
Powerful Prayers in the Bible
There are so many powerful prayers in the Bible. Each Word in the Bible can be used as a powerful prayer. Paul wrote prayers for the Ephesians to help them look into God’s character for spiritual growth.
To pray for Spiritual Wisdom
(Ephesians 1:16-19): I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength.
To pray for Revelation of Christ
(Ephesians 3:14-19): For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Paul asked in his prayer to help the Ephesians to grow in their faith and love to God. It also emphasized that God wants them to have a relationship with other believers as well. The family of God includes all believers from past, present, and those who will believe in the future. Paul asked for the Ephesians to pray to believe in God’s unlimited resources to empower them with inner strength.
Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Before Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of salvation, he prayed to God in the garden of Gethsemane. He was in great anguish over his approaching physical pain and separation from God. Though Jesus knew his crucifixion was inevitable and of God’s will, His human nature still struggled. His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane showed his humble submission to God regardless of his suffering.
The Book of Psalms is a great place to find verses of powerful prayers to pray.
How To Pray According to Scripture?
Praying the Word means reading scripture, verse, by verse prayerfully and letting the meaning of the verses penetrate your heart as your life become soaked in God’s.
Praying the Word of God Over Your Life
Take authority and use your mouth to pray God’s Word back to Him – pray using the Scriptures. Decree and declare what God says about you.
Father, Your Word declares that I am made for signs and wonders (Isaiah 8:18), so Father, do your miracle in my life. Answer Your name Heavenly Father.
Lord, you say in Jeremiah 1:12 that You will hasten Your Word to perform it. Father Lord, hasten Your Word to perform it in my life. Do not let my enemies laugh at me.
Lord, your Word declares that I am the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13), above and not beneath so Father, promote me, elevate me in the name of Jesus.
Lord, Your Word (Romans 8:11) says that it is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead that lives in me, so sickness flee from my body in the name of Jesus.
Lord, Your Word (Psalm 118:17) says that I shall live and not die, and that Jesus bore my disease at the Cross (1 Peter 2:24) so I receive my healing.
Lord, Your Word (Job 5:24) says that I shall return to my house and find nothing missing so thank you Father for always protecting my home from marauders.
Lord, you said (John 10:10) You came that I may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows) and Your Word says that if anyone does not work, he cannot eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). So, Father Lord, change my story that I may live life abundantly as You have promised. Give me this job that you have promised me. Open the way for my business.
My Lord my God, Your Word declares in Isaiah 40:8 that the grass withers, the flower fades but Your Word is everlasting. You say that your plan is for me to prosper and to have peace (Jeremiah 29:11) and not disaster, now Lord, fulfill Your Word in my life.
Lord, Your Word (Psalm 40:3) says you have put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise – I am singing it all the way Lord and laughter will not cease in my home in the name of Jesus.
What is The Strongest Prayer in the Bible?
Praying Psalm 91 one of the most powerful prayer in the bible. A powerful prayer of protection that we can use to cover ourselves in our families in prayer.
Father, I praise You that I dwell in the secret place of the Most High and that I shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of You, Lord, “the Lord is my refuge and my fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I confidently trust!” For then You will deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. Then You will cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings shall I trust and find refuge. Your truth and Your faithfulness are a shield and a buckler to me. I shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but it shall not come nigh my dwelling. For You will give Your angels especial charge over me, to accompany, defend and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service to You. Your angels shall bear me up on their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone. I shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall I trample underfoot. Because I have set my love upon You, therefore will You deliver me. You will set me on high because I know and understand Your name. I have a personal knowledge of Your mercy, love, and kindness. I trust and rely on You, knowing You will never forsake me, no, never. I shall call upon You, and You will answer me. You will be with me in trouble. You will deliver me and honor me. With long life will You satisfy me and show me Your salvation.
Whenever you need the Lord’s protection over your life, your children/grandchildren, families, and friends, a reminder of His loyalty to you, and how He provides for His children in times of famine and in feast, prayerfully and slowly read over this psalm. Meditate on it daily. Reflect on what God is promising you specifically. If possible, memorize your favorite verse(s) and repeat them often throughout the day. In times of great need and uncertainty, if committed to memory, the Holy Spirit will graciously remind you of what God has promised you. These words will protect you, those you love, and the whole world.
Praying the Word Effectively
Everything we need, every promise for all situations in life, every answer, are found in God’s Word. We as born-again believers need to learn how to pray the Word and be effective in your prayer life. God’s power and anointing is released mightily as we commit ourselves to praying effectively. In Acts 4 we read how the Christians prayed together with one heart, mind, and spirit. All the believers were united as they lifted their voices in prayer (Acts 4:24). The result was a great boldness in sharing God’s message (Acts 4:31).
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 (KJV)
To be effective in our prayer life, first, we must be open to God’s will and direction for our lives as revealed through his Word.
As we read and study the Scripture, we will learn what the will of God the Father is, and as we know his will, we can pray and ask according to it. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that it is not the will of the Lord that any perish and that he desires all to come to repentance. Therefore, when I pray for those around me who do not know Christ, I can be sure that I am praying according to God’s will.
The Word of God also tells me that I am the Lord’s witness. “You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord'” (Isaiah 43:10). This means that I do not only pray for the lost, but I also go and tell them what I have seen, heard, and experienced of the Lord. I go and share the good news of God’s love and forgiveness with them. Hearing and knowing God’s Word and then going and doing according to his Word will result in many answers to our prayers.
“”I love the Lord because he hears my prayers and answers them. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe!”” Psalm 116:1-2 (Living Bible).
Spending time developing our own personal relationship with the Lord is a valuable investment of our time. God has made it possible for us to communicate with him through our prayers. He speaks to us through his Word, the Bible. Therefore, the more we pray and read his Word, the deeper our relationship with him will be.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for hearing our every prayer no matter how big and significant or small and seemingly insignificant. Thank You for blessing those who patiently wait on You in prayer and faith. Help us to always maintain a childlike trust in You — now and forever. Amen
Free Praying the Scripture Printable
Our Free printable are a gift just for you. Yes, you can absolutely have as many as you’d like. I pray that you will find the answers you need when you begin to pray these scriptures. My prayer for you today: BE ENCOURAGED
