Praying Scripture

Start with Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Sing to the Lord worship songs. Then sing to the Lord a verse that is a promise to what you are praying about.

Proclaim about yourself what God has promised!
Believe God is answering prayer and pray that belief.

Renew your mind according to what the Bible says about you. Romans 12:1,2

Turn your Bible reading from gaining info to prayer. This will help you learn it as well.

When we say what the Bible says we are speaking according to the will of God.

Pray about what the Bible talks of for the specific issue at hand.

Pray favorite passages of Scripture. Those that have meant a lot to you.

Put yourself into the verse, or the person prayed for.

Pray a verse emphasizing one word at a time. Then pray the verse again emphasizing the next word.

When you are praying Scripture, you are following Jesus' example.

Colossians 1:9-11 Amplified “For this reason, since the day we heard about it, we have not stopped praying for you, asking [specifically] that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [with insight into His purposes], and in understanding [of spiritual things], 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]; 11 [we pray that you may be] strengthened and invigorated with all power, according to His glorious might, to attain every kind of endurance and patience with joy;”

Don't stop: Praying, asking specifically that:
| 1) You will be filled with the knowledge of His will. With insight into His purposes, and understanding of spiritual things.
| 2) Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Displaying: admirable character, moral courage, personal integrity.
| 3) Fully please God in all things.
What pleases God?
  Faith Hebrews 11:6
  Mind set on the Spirit. Romans 8:5-8
  Walk with God. Genesis 5:24
  Fear the Lord. Psalm 147:11: Proverbs 2:1-5
  Follow the example of Jesus. Matthew 17:5; Philippians 2:5-9
  God takes pleasure in obedience. 1 Samuel 15:22; Matthew 6:6
  Offer a sacrifice of praise to God, doing good and sharing. Hebrews 13:15-16
  Do God's will. Hebrews 13:20-21
  Go beyond God's will/commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
| 4) Steadily grow in the things of God.
And this involves action and not just understanding. James 1:22
If we don't do what we think we know, we don't really know it. Faith comes by hearing God's word. Romans 10:17 Prove your faith by doing what you have been taught. 2 Corinthians 13:5
| 5) All power would flow through you. We already have the blessings  of God in our life. Ephesians 1:3 It is there to draw on. Paul endeavored not to preach without it. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 We should pray for this power as Colossians 1:9-11 says. Jesus asks us to go in power. Matthew 10:8; These signs will follow those who believe. Mark 16:17
| 6) Face life with endurance and patience with joy. James 1:2-4; Romans 5:1-5
If we are in a problem that persists, ask God for wisdom. James 1:5 with faith James 1:6-8

Here is a list of Paul's prayers that could be prayed.
Romans 1:8-10
Romans 10:1
Romans 12:12
Rom 15:6
Rom 15:13
Rom 15:30-33
1 Cor 1:4-9
1 Cor 16:23
2 Cor 1:3-7
2 Cor 2:14-16
2 Cor 9:12-15
2 Cor 13:7-9
Gal 6:18
Eph 1:3-5
Eph 1:15-23
Eph 3:14-21
Eph 6:19-20
Phil 1:3-6
Phil 1:9-11
Phil 4:6,7
Phil 4:23
Col 1:3-14
Col 4:2-4
1 Thes 1:2-3
1 Thes 2:13-16
1 Thes 3:9-13
1 Thes 5:23-24
1 Thes 5:28
2 Thes 1:3-5
2 Thes 1:11-12
2 Thes 2:16-17
2 Thes 3:2-5
2 Thes 3:16
1 Tim 1:12
1 Tim 2:1-3
2 Tim 1:3-7
2 Tim 1:16-18
2 Tim 4:22
Titus 3:15
Philemon 4-7
Philemon 1:25

One Thing

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Philippians 3:13,14
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

There is a lot in this chapter. What I'm doing in this study is looking at these 2 verses. One Thing.

Don't rest on what you have done in the past. Don't think you have arrived. Life happens each day. If you are not growing and learning you are not living.

Just as a tree needs to grow to live. So we need to be growing to be living in the Spirit of God. Why? It is the relationship that produces growth. A relationship with Christ. And in this relationship we hear from Christ and learn. If we stop hearing and learning and doing what we learn we become stagnate. This stagnancy brings death.

It is this doing and not just learning that got me into ministry to the homeless, street witnessing, people at a nursing home and teaching in a church. All of these were growth areas that brought me closer to Christ. I had to pray and search the Bible for answers. This seeking of the Lord brought growth.

It is the same in our physical life as well. When we stop exercising and working our body starts to decay. Muscles lose their tone and become weaker. Our heart is a muscle and it needs to be exercised to stay healthy.

Why would we work when we don't have to? Our spiritual and physical life tends to decay without use. And if we stay active we maintain our strength and increase in strength. Moses was able to climb a mountain at 120. He was always active. Caleb asked Joshua for Hebron. He was 85 when he asked for this and was still able to fight in war at that age.

To reach forward to what lies ahead comes from anticipation of what God is leading us in. We need to keep an attitude of looking to God for His strength and help. And as we are looking to Him we gain insight from His word to our spirits which strengthens us for the work ahead. Without this urgency of seeking God we fall back. In a sense it is back sliding. Because we are not doing what we used to be doing.

I press on toward the goal. What is our goal? Have a goal and if you don't have one seek God for His direction.

I will use the armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18 to fight off distractions from the one thing I am called to. I will use the threshing sledge Isaiah 41:15 break down the mountains of opposition.

One thing desired Ps 27:4 To be in God's presence all day long. Seek Him more and more.

One thing happens to all. All will die. Eccl 3:19 Make your life count for God.

One thing lacking. Mark 10:21 Sell all you have and give to the poor. Get rid of what keeps you from living the life God gives.

One thing needed. Luke 10:42 And that is to sit at Jesus feet and learn from Him.

One thing is known. John 9:25 The blind man knew that he was once blind but now he sees. Like the blind man, I will give testimony of God giving me spiritual sight.

One thing to do. Phil 3:13 Press on to know the Lord.

One fact. 2 Peter 3:8 Don't forget that with the Lord time is not a factor. V9 God is holding back, so more will be brought into the kingdom.

1 Corinthians 9:23-27
Forget the ground you have covered in the race and press on.
Use all your energy to win. Don't waste it on non essentials.
Run with the end result in mind. And what is that? To give glory to God in all you do.

Psalm 20 Notes

Psalm 20:1 The Lord has promised to answer us in the day of trouble. Psalm 91:1-16

We are set above the problems of life by the name of God. We are now in the family of God. I have the inheritance that Jesus has. Romans 8:16,17 I have the authority Jesus has. Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 5:17

Psalm 20:2 We go to the throne of grace to get mercy and grace to help us in our needs. Hebrews 4:16

Psalm 20:3 I will offer up a sacrifice of praise to God. Hebrews 13:15

Psalm 20:4 God made us for a purpose and will grant the desires of our heart. Psalm 37:4,5  Ephesians 2:10

God will fulfill our counsel. When we give God's word to others it is fulfilled as they give God the opportunity to fulfill it. Jeremiah 1:12

Psalm 20:5 Sing over victory Psalm 34:1; Psalm 9:14
In Jesus name we will set up the banner of victory of God's truth. Psalm 60:4
God will answer our prayers, because we keep His commands and do the things pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22

Psalm 20:6 We have experience of God's saving power for life, health and purpose in life. John 3:16; Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; Ephesians 2:8-10

God answers prayer. Isaiah 58:9

Psalm 20:7 It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 I have a mighty God, if God is for us who is against us? Romans 8:31

Psalm 20:8 Many will fall, but God is with me. Ps 91:7

Psalm 20:9 We serve a living God who hears. 1 Kings 18:35-38

Notes from Psalm 81

Blacked Capped Chickadee 

What are the benefits of hearing God?

We would order our way to His ways.
Worship with, singing, shouting, raise a song, strike the timbrel & lyre, harp, blow the trumpet. Ps 150
Have special times for celebration worship. Such as Christmas and Easter. Taking communion.
Do these with joy and shouting. Ps 34
Remember what God has done for us in the past.
A key part of faith is remembering what God has done and He will do it again. 2 Chron 16:7-9
No strange gods among you or worship them. Ex 20:4,5
Speak as God directs. Ex 4:12; Deut 18:18, Ps 50:4

God would quickly subdue our enemies. Isa 54:17
God will turn His hand against our adversaries. Rom 8:37
We would be fed from the finest of the wheat. Ps 84:11
We would have honey from the rock. Deut 32:13

Psalm 81:13,14

There are many benefits to listening to God.

O that people would listen to Me,

“O” It is the desire of God for us to listen to Him. He could of said if instead of “O”. But then it would just of been a statement. God longs for us to listen to Him. It is His desire for us to spend time in His presence.

“That Israel would walk in My ways.”

Song of Solomon 1:4 “Draw me after you and let us run together!” A verse referring to married love. God wants to have that closeness with us as we have closeness with our spouse.

It is not only listening but walking in the ways of God. We listen so we can live accordingly.

Victory comes quickly for those who listen and obey.

Psalm 81New American Standard Bible (NASB)
God’s Goodness and Israel’s Waywardness.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph.

81 Sing for joy to God our strength;
Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song, strike the timbrel,
The sweet sounding lyre with the harp.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
At the full moon, on our feast day.
4 For it is a statute for Israel,
An ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5 He established it for a testimony in Joseph
When he went throughout the land of Egypt.
I heard a language that I did not know:

6 “I relieved his shoulder of the burden,
His hands were freed from the basket.
7 “You called in trouble and I rescued you;
I answered you in the hiding place of thunder;
I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
8 “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you;
O Israel, if you would listen to Me!
9 “Let there be no strange god among you;
Nor shall you worship any foreign god.
10 “I, the Lord, am your God,
Who brought you up from the land of Egypt;
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

11 “But My people did not listen to My voice,
And Israel did not obey Me.
12 “So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.
13 “Oh that My people would listen to Me,
That Israel would walk in My ways!
14 “I would quickly subdue their enemies
And turn My hand against their adversaries.
15 “Those who hate the Lord would pretend obedience to Him,
And their time of punishment would be forever.
16 “But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”