“Another benefit of praying the Bible is that it makes you enter the throne of grace with new boldness, because you know that you are praying according to God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). Instead of hoping to receive answers to our prayers, we can be assured—based on the promises of God—that prayers prayed according to will in the Bible will be answered. Your faith will be strengthened, your wisdom will become spiritual wisdom and your knowledge of God will increase.” Wesley and Stacey Campbell

Wouldn’t you agree that most people would like an abundant, fulfilling life? We are naturally attracted to that which gives life, but few people realize that there is tremendous life in the Word of God. If they believed it they would read, study, and devour it. The primary way that God speaks to us is through His Word. He brings revelation as we pray it. Praying the Word of God, together with singing, is a powerful combination. Power is released on the earth as God’s Word is sung passionately into the atmosphere.

When we pray God’s Word, divine information is internalized. It transforms us as we speak it back to God. We become bold and are filled with faith as we pray it. We are praying God’s ideas back to His heart; we are coming into agreement with His thoughts and ways. This impacts us deeply, and touches our environment with the power and life of God.

There are four Greek words that describe the function of the Word of God. It is amazing how a group of people can all read the same passage in the Bible and receive something different. These four Greek words and their definition are:

• Grape – The written, historical Word of God – This is where you understand the Bible as if you are reading a novel.
• Logos – The meaning of the principles of the Bible – This is where you understand the good life principles that you are to follow.
• Rhema – The revelation of the Word of God – This is where the Holy Spirit illuminates the “graphe” or “logos” to you.
• Zoe – The Word of God dwelling within – This is where the Word of God becomes a creative, living part of who you are. The “rhema” becomes life-giving revelation.

In our Houses of Prayer we want the Word of God to become “zoe” life. We want it to be life-giving revelation. And this is what is happening as we pray and sing the Word. God’s Word becomes the living, creative part of those who are present in the prayer room. The Word of God must be at the very center of the prayer movement. It is God’s strategy for prayer in the end times.

Praying the Word will keep us strong as the days become more difficult. It will keep us in peace when the world around us is in turmoil. It will keep us joyful when the world is living in fear and gloom. The Word is alive and active. It is sharp and it penetrates into our thoughts and hearts (Hebrews 4:12). We need God’s Word written on our hearts and flowing through our prayers.

God’s Word can bring “zoe” life in a most amazing way!

In Baghdad, Iraq, a 22-year-old Army Private First Class soldier named Brendan Schweigart was on a critical mission wearing a bullet proof shield for protection. You can only imagine the tension in that situation. Before going out to battle, he carefully tucked his Bible in his pocket beneath his bulletproof shield. While on a dangerous mission, he was shot with a high-powered rifle. The Bible saved his life when it shielded the bullet from his heart. He told his mother that he always carried his Bible into battle. Brendan received a Purple Heart and was soon released from the hospital. The bullet was still in the pages of his Bible, a miraculous reminder of the amazing power and protection of the Word of God.

God’s Word will protect our lives when in spiritual battle. It can bring forth life in the darkest of situations. It can save us from those fiery darts from the enemy.

I wonder how many of us carry our Bibles into battle like Army Private Brendan?

By Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
IHOPKC