Six Steps to a More Engaging Prayer LifeSample

R – Regard The Word as Final Authority 

Too often in our culture, the loudest or most pervasive opinions become the accepted authority and are used to establish social norms. More than ever, we are overwhelmed by information that erodes our faith and seeks to nullify biblical absolutes. There is only one answer to this assault, and that is an immovable and irrevocable fidelity to God and that His Word is not only truth, but it is the final authority and foundation upon which we craft our prayers. Psalm 138:2 KJV tells us that God has magnified His word above His name. The message here is that God esteems and honors His Word superlative to everything else He is. 

Psalm 119:89 says, “Thy word oh Lord is forever settled in Heaven.” In Hebrew, that means that His Word (promises, decrees, statements) are eternally settled – His Word is the pillar that forever supports the universe. Isaiah 55:11 tells us, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” If we pray without the Bible as our sole reference, we in effect become an attorney trying to defend a law without a constitution or case precedent. God is unchangeable and eternal. 

His Word, known as “logos,” is a revelation of His nature and character throughout time; furthermore, Jesus, the Living Word, is perfect theology. Any prayer that does not line up with the logos, or the example of Jesus and His ministry, becomes subjective and ultimately relative. With that understanding, when praying, pray the Word! 

Prayer: Lord, Your Word truly is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Guide me in prayer through the eternal truths in Your Word and let my motives be pure and may my prayers ever increase Your Kingdom and further the knowledge of Your goodness.