Pray the WordSample

Made Complete and Equipped by the Word

Today's verses give us a wonderful description of God’s Word, telling us what it is and what it does. First, consider what it is: it is “breathed out by God.” When you open your Bible or hear it read, the words you encounter are breathed out by the Holy Spirit. These are no mere human words. These are supernaturally inspired words. The One who knows what is best for us has given them to us.

Second, consider what this Word does: it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” and it makes us “complete, equipped for every good work.” Only God’s Word can accomplish this.

Everything else you read is written by man, inspired by man. Yet, when we open the Bible, we are coming to something that is altogether different. We’re coming to a book that is inspired, or “breathed out,” by God. So it’s no surprise that it’s “profitable.” It’s from God. We have the words of the One who created us. All glory be to God.

We don’t have to read and study the Bible; we want to read and study the Bible, because we want to know what God has said for the good life, for the abundant life, for the life that we were created to live. God’s Word makes us “complete.” Don’t you want that? Don’t you want to completely experience God’s good design for your life? Don’t you want to experience life to the full? Then let the Word do this work in you and equip you “for every good work.”

Prayer

God, we praise you for your Word. We praise you that you have breathed it out, that we have 66 books recorded by human authors that come ultimately from you. We praise you for the profit of this Word and for its good work in us.

Would you teach us through your Word and reprove us. Lord, help us to see where we are wandering from your Word and not living according to it. We pray for correction.

God, we also pray for training in righteousness. Train us according to your Word and make us complete. We want to experience all that you’ve designed for us to experience. So, help us to be students of your Word, reading it, studying it, memorizing it, and meditating on it. And help us not just to hear it, but to do it.

Equip us through your Word for good works, for lives that count for your glory and for others’ good. God, make us men and women who spend time in your Word, who reflect your Word, who speak your Word, who teach your Word, who share your Word with others, and who walk in obedience to your Word. And in all of this, make us people who experience intimacy and life with you according to your good design. In Jesus’ name. Amen.