The Word of God and Prayer
I have been in love of Psalm 19 a few days now. I am going to share it with you and explain why it feels so precious to me right now. Read it and let the Holy Spirit read you while you are at it. This is how the Living Word of God works!
The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
10 God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
(Psalm 19:7-10, MSG, emphasis added)
As you know, reading the Word of God is important. John Ortberg has said “What repeatedly enters your mind and occupies your mind, eventually shapes your mind, and will ultimately express itself in what you do and who you become.” When we choose to read the Bible, we choose God’s word to occupy our minds and shape our minds. It does not happen if we do not read it. And if we do read the Word of God, it pulls our lives together, points out the right road for us, and shows the way to joy. Who wouldn’t want that?
11-14 There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
(Psalm 19:11-14, MSG, emphasis added)
We truly need God to guide us. Not only through the Word of God but also through prayer. A.W. Tozer has put it this way “I am reminded that one old saint was asked, “Which is the more important: reading God’s Word or praying?” To which he replied, “Which is more important to a bird: the right wing or the left?”
We need them both equally. How would we otherwise keep from stupid sins? How would we otherwise have our sins forgiven? How would we otherwise know what is God’s will for us?
This psalm seems to speak what’s on my heart this week. I praise God for his wise counsel. I ask God to show me all the sin lurking in my heart. I invite him to cleanse me from all the hidden faults and guide me according to his plans for me. I can’t express well enough how good this makes me feel: My life is in his hands. I can rest in him knowing he will take care of me.
I can’t recommend reading the Word of God and praying highly enough. And doing both at the same time is the ultimate way to go. Try it. And you will be hooked for life!
Gracious God,
Thank you for loving us beyond measure.
Thank you for the Bible and prayer.
Guide us clearly, Lord.
Pull our lives together,
point out the right road,
and show us the way to joy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Which is more important to you, reading the Word of God or prayer?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you choose what enters your mind and changes your mind along the way!
Photo courtesy of David Bobbitt,design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God.
6 thoughts on “The Word of God and Prayer”
I love the 19th Psalm too and praying through a Psalm like that can be a life changing experience. Thank you so much for this reminder.
Yes, it can be a life changing experience. It is the Living Word of God afterall! Thanks, Melissa. Blessings to you!
So loved this post as I wrote about the very same topic pretty much! My Bible has become like a diary or journal of events and prayers and the faithfulness of God. Blessings!
That’s incredible, Joanne! But that’s how the Holy Spirit works! Thanks so much for sharing. I will visit your blog for sure! Blessings upon blessings!
Thank you for sharing this passion of yours, Mari-Anna. There are treasures to be found, for sure, in prayer and the words of Scripture.
Thank you for your kind words, Amber! Glad you stopped by! Blessings to you according to your needs!