But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Prayer should not follow your life. Instead, your life should follow prayer. Life itself should be prayer. Prayer should not be the last resort in your life.
Prayer is not something you do only when you are in trouble. Prayer is not something you use to improve your present circumstances. That is the prayer of the people of religion.
Prayer is enjoying God. In the morning (Ps 5:3); in the daytime (Ps 23:1-6); in the evening (Ps 17:3). And all the time (Eph 6:18).
Learn the secret of having a “downtime” with God. King David knew the joy of having his downtime with God. Daniel prayed three times a day, holding onto the covenant even when faced with death (Dan 6:10).
Peter and John met a crippled beggar when they went to the temple to pray (Ac 3:1-10). Philip met an Ethiopian official while praying in Samaria (Ac 8:26-40). While enjoying his downtime with God, Ananias was entrusted with the man who would become the greatest evangelist of all time, Paul (Ac 9:10-16). So, make your downtime with your Father the happiest time each day. Make prayer your life.
When you pray, confirm the Word of God recorded in Scripture (1 Tim 3:14). These are the words of prophecy that have been, still are, and will be fulfilled.
That is why great blessings belong to the person who reads, hears, and obeys the word God (Rev 1:3).AndtheWord of God lasts forever(Isa 40:8), and nothing will disappear from Scripture, and the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter until it has all been done(Mt 5:17-18).
Scripture is also complete(Deu 4:2). Anyone who adds anything to or takes away from Scripture will be eternally condemned (Rev 22:18-19). God’s Word is like a lamp that guides your steps, a light that shows the path you should take(Ps 119:105).
You don’t have to rely on anything in this world as God’s Word of grace can build you up (Ac 20:32). The Word of God is the most potent weapon against Satan(Mt 4:1-11).
Scripture will open your eyes to see the world through the lens of the gospel. You will realize that people have been fundamentally cursed because of Satan, sin, and hell (Gen 3:1-15, Eph 2:1-3). You will also realize why God had to send the Christ(Gen 3:15).
Based on the evidence in Scripture, you will acknowledge that Jesus had to be the Christ, who fulfilled all the prophecies concerning Him, more than 400 in all (Isa 7:14, Mt 1:21). Scripture also gives you the eternal promise that the Holy Spirit lives in you, guiding and empowering your life (Jn 14:26-27, Rom 8:2).
This is why God has given us Scripture—so we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and then, by believing, we can have life through His name (Jn 20:31).
Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. It was written so that we could have hope. That hope comes from the patience and encouragement that the Scriptures give us (Rom 15:4). These things that happened in the past are examples for us. These examples should stop us from wanting the things of the world(1 Cor 10:6).
Therefore, receive the Word of God as if your life depends on it. Your life does depend on God’s Word. Keep the Word deep in your heart (Ps 119:11).
In all circumstances, stop worrying and start praying by faith in the Word of God. As you get deeper with God in prayer, you will experience His power to overcome anything in this world. You will see undeniable evidence of God in your life.
Prayer. Father, I thank You for spending time with me today. Help me continue what I have learned from Scripture and become convinced of it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.