Praying God's Word: A Journey of Faith

Three years ago, I found myself in a challenging situation at work. One morning, I was praying—more like complaining—because I felt a deep disdain for my job and the person I had become. The pressure of my job was changing me into someone I really didn’t like. I stood at a critical crossroads: I could continue down the path I was traveling and get further away from God, or I could turn back to the Lord and draw closer. All I knew at that moment was something in my life had to change. I had never quit a job before, “I’m not a quitter, Lord,” I said. “What am I going to do?” In my mind normal people don’t just give up and quit their jobs, especially when they earn a good income and have no one to rely on. I felt stuck; on my own volition, I would never ever quit my job.

So, I continued to pray—complain—and added, “And Lord, what about the cookies?” It had been 23 years since the Lord had shown me the Faith cookie to bake and had placed on my heart the vision for A Message of Hope Ministry. Had I done something in my life that God had decided that I would only bake cookies and give them away and nothing more? And just like that! God answered my prayer. On that very day, I was called into HQ and received the unexpected news that I was being laid off. Honestly, I initially felt relief; when they told me and I thanked God for taking it out of my hands. But then as the days passed apprehension set in—what was I going to do now? The Lord took my time of being out of work and turned it into a transformative journey of knowing Him.

During my unemployment, the Lord began teaching me about the beauty and power of praying His Word. I discovered that immersing myself in Scripture helped me navigate my struggles and fears. Inspired by this journey, I created a series of journals designed to guide me—and others—through the process of praying God's promises. These journals became a tool for reflection, prayer, and growth, helping me reconnect with my faith and purpose. They also served as my emergency toolbox, reminding me of the Awesomeness of God.

What I once saw as a setback became a beautiful opportunity for learning and renewal, and I am grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way (and am still learning). In our life, prayer and Scripture are fundamental pillars that support our relationship with God. Prayer is not just a way to present our requests to God; it is an intimate conversation that deepens our understanding of His character and will for our lives. Similarly, Scripture serves as our guide, revealing God’s promises, teachings, and the incredible love He has for us. He wants us to Know His Name, which is an intimacy with Jesus Christ that is life transforming. By integrating God’s Word into our prayer life, we align our hearts with His and empower our prayers with the truth found in the Bible.

This series aims to encourage you to make praying Scripture a vital part of your spiritual journey. By exploring the beauty and power of praying God’s Word, we will uncover how it can transform your heart, provide comfort in times of need, and strengthen your faith. Together, we will learn practical ways to incorporate Scripture into our prayers, enabling us to experience the fullness of God’s promises in our daily lives and create a prayer journal to help remind you of God’s love in the tough seasons of life.

In the upcoming posts, we will explore how to pray God’s Word. Here’s a brief outline of what’s to come:

• Week 1: Foundations of Praying God's Word

  • The Power of Prayer: Understanding its significance in our lives.

  • Why Pray Scripture? Discovering the benefits and transformative impact of this practice.

  • How to Start Praying Scripture: Practical tips for beginners.

  • Understanding Context: The importance of knowing Scripture’s context before praying it.

  • Finding Scriptures for Specific Needs: A guide to praying for various life situations.

  • Journal Your Prayers: How to keep a prayer journal focused on Scripture.

  • Group Prayer and Accountability: Encouragement to pray with others.

  
  

• Week 2: Praying Specific Themes in Scripture

  • Praying for Guidance: Seeking wisdom through Scripture.

  • Praying for Healing: Scriptural promises of restoration.

  • Praying for Peace: Finding tranquility in God’s Word.

  • Praying for Strength: Scriptures that empower us in trials.

  • Praying for Relationships: Nurturing connections through prayer.

  • Praying for Provision: Trusting in God’s provision.

  • Praying for Salvation: The importance of interceding for loved ones.

  
  

• Week 3: Deepening Your Prayer Life

  • The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer: Understanding the Spirit’s guidance.

  • Fasting and Prayer: Enhancing our prayer life through fasting.

  • Using Psalms in Prayer: How the Psalms can enrich our prayers.

  • Developing a Prayer Routine: Establishing a consistent prayer schedule.

  • Overcoming Prayer Obstacles: Strategies to overcome common challenges.

  • Reflecting on Answered Prayers: Celebrating God’s faithfulness.

  • Celebrating God’s Faithfulness: Concluding with a reminder of His goodness.

“Thank you for taking the time to read today’s post. Your journey matters, and I’m grateful to walk alongside you!”

With love and prayers, Maria