WHY PRAY ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD?

1. The Bible says in 1John 5:14-15 that if we pray according to God’s will, He hears us. If He hears us, anything we ask of Him we receive. God’s will is written in His Word which is the Bible. To pray according to the words of the Bible is to pray according to God’s will. We maximize our chances to be heard by God when we pray referring to the Bible, God’s Word.

2. In the Bible it says that God’s Word travels to the earth and returns to Him, yet it achieves what it came to do before it goes back to God: Isaiah 55:10-11. When we pray according to God’s Word, we are reminding God of His promises to us and inviting Him to honor His words and promises, which He always does.

God’s words do not return to Him void, and they will accomplish the purpose for which He sent them.

3. THE ROLES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WORD OF GOD: The Word of God has multiple roles in our life:

1. Psalm 19:7-14 states that God’s Word is a. perfect, b. converts the soul, c. is sure, d. makes the simple wise, e. the words of God are right, f. the Word of God rejoices the heart, g. it is pure, h. it enlightens the eyes, i. it is true,  j. the Word of God is righteous, k. it is more desired than fine gold, l. the Word of God is sweeter than honey and honeycomb, m. the Word of God warn us, n. Keeping the Word of God is rewarding, o. the Word of God cleanses us from old faults and presumptuous sins, p. the Word of God makes our words acceptable to God’s sight.  
2. 2 Timothy 3:15-17: a. The holy scripture can make us wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, b. The Word of God is inspired (breathed) by God, c. it is profitable for doctrine, d. able to reprove us, e. it is fit to correct us, f. it is fit to instruct us in righteousness, g. It produces maturity and equipment that lead to good deeds.
3.  Psalm 119: 9,11,105: The Word of God helps the believers to have good conduct; it helps us not sin against God, and it is a lamp to our feet and a lamp to our path.
4. Psalm 107:19-21: When we cry to God for healing, He sends his word and heals us.
5. John 1:1-2,14:  In the beginning the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He became flesh: Jesus Christ. The Word is God Himself.

4. Jesus said there is no word of the Bible that will fall on the floor – all His promises will come to pass. The whole world will pass away, but His Word and those who do His will remain forever. 1 John 2:15-17 and Matthew 24:35. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.

5. Matthew 5:18:  Jesus said: Verily I say unto you: till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all be fulfilled.

6. When we pray based on the Word of God, we are praying in terms of reference that are eternal and certain to occur.

7. We pray according to the Word of God – because He reveals in the Bible the what, the who, the where, the when, the why to pray and to whom to direct our prayers and our expectations after we pray.

8.  CONCLUSION:

The Word of God therefore becomes a guide to successful prayer.

 The more we know God the more we trust Him, and Faith is what is needed in      prayer. Psalm 9:10

“Holy Spirit, please help me in my infirmities of knowing what to say in my prayer, and give me the words to pray to the Father. Remind me of his promises and directives in prayer so that I can pray according to His will. Let my prayer be agreeable to you, may I find mercy and grace from the throne of the Father, in Christ’s name, Amen”.

Please continue reading on the next section: “What Jesus Taught Us About Prayer.”