I am awed when I marvel at God's power in my life. Music is God's way of communicating with me. I experience God's love and mercy in the intimacy of my headphones and a great song or hymn. As a result, I thought it would be a good idea to share a spiritual discipline with you: praying the Scriptures. 

Through the lyrics of the song “Word of God Speak” by MercyMe, God spoke to my heart about prayer through the power of music.

I'm finding myself at a loss for words

And the funny thing is it's okay

The last thing I need is to be heard

But to hear what You would say

Word of God speak

Would you pour down like rain

Washing my eyes to see

Your majesty

To be still and know

That you're in this place

Please let me stay and rest

In your holiness

Word of God speak.

Praying God's Word

Praying God's word can be comforting, especially when the songwriter's words resonate deeply. There are times in life when words fail us when pain is all that remains. In such moments, we may feel utterly defeated by life's challenges, with nothing to offer God but our suffering. It's precisely then that we need His strength and healing the most, even when we feel emotionally and spiritually depleted. We yearn for God to reach out to us, offer a word of hope, and remind our souls of His grandeur. In our brokenness, being still and recognizing His omnipotence and sovereignty is essential. Reading the words penned by the Creator Himself can be a powerful way to connect with Him during these times.

Your prayers are never stronger than when you are praying the Scriptures. In chapter 4, verse 12, the writer of Hebrews says, “God's word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates to the point that it separates the soul from the spirit and the joints from the marrow. God's words have the power to judge the heart's thoughts and intentions.  We can draw strength from God's promises whether we read them or use them for prayer.

To comfort you, I want to let you know that God does not only hear our prayers; if the prayers are in accordance with His will, He will answer them.

Benefits of Praying the Scriptures

Praying the Scriptures can enhance your spiritual Growth. When you pray using God's words, you start to observe and understand how God has interacted with and responded to other believers. Witnessing God's faithfulness in action, you learn from the faith-filled narratives of those who trust the Almighty. These accounts offer inner peace and bolster confidence in God's love and protection. The Bible abounds with testimonies from numerous individuals who experienced God's presence and provision.

You can live a more content life if you pray reguarly.  When you pray, you are turning the situation over to God. You're taking the problem out of your hands and laying it in His hands. You're releasing it to God.  There are no more capable hands to place our cares in other than the loving arms of our savior—the one who cared so deeply for us that he gave his life for you. 

Originally Published on https://www.becomingbridgebuilders.org/blog

Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney Rev. Dr. B. Keith Haney

Rev. Dr. Byrene Haney is a dedicated and experienced pastor with over 31 years of service in multi-ethnic urban congregations. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, and a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. And a Doctorate of Education from Concordia Univerisity, Irvine, CA. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles, including Senior Pastor at Gospel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI, and Mission Facilitator for the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS.

Currently, Rev. Dr. Haney serves as Assistant to the President in the Iowa District West, where he assists congregations with strategic planning, visioning, outreach, and fostering a culture of generosity and human care. His commitment to connecting faith with community needs and crises has significantly impacted the congregations he serves.