The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Bible and Prayer"
The better we know the Word of God, the better we will prayerfully relate to the God of the Word. The Bible provides the best and most effectual motivator, guide, and enabler of genuine prayer.
"O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles" (Psalm 43:3).
We must discover God's purpose, will, and way in order to pray effectively. The Bible serves as the beckoning light of truth whereby our Heavenly Father calls us unto Himself. Thereby, the Holy Spirit convinces our hearts and minds regarding the necessity of walking with God in close fellowship. This runs counter to the common notion of circumstances, conditions, and situations being the primary motivator of prayer. Certainly, we pray about such matters that get our attention - "casting all your care upon Him" (I Peter 5:7). Such prompts to prayer, however, lead to a spotty approach to God, based on whatever may be occurring in our lives at various times. Scripture, conversely, serves as an ever shining beacon, reminding us of God's existence, presence, involvement, and promise to be all we need Him to be in all things. Recognizing the Bible's key role in leading us to pray consistently and rightly provides the solid foundation for a life lived in communion with God. "In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).
Consider perhaps the two greatest promises of Scripture:
"I am with you always… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
Whether in these direct affirmations, or those that plainly imply God's unwavering presence with believers at all times and in all things, the Bible continually reminds us that we are not alone in life.
Father, are You there?
No, My child, I am not there,
I am here, nearer than any other.
And I will always be not there, but here,
of this you can be sure,
and this you will discover
as the years roll on, and eternity draws nigh,
I am with you always,
so near, so nearer than any other.
Every page of Scripture proclaims the "here" presence of God in His people. Thereby, the Spirit of God beckons our hearts by the Word He inspired to commune with the One who serves as the very Life of our lives. We prayerfully praise or thank God for such grace. We affirm to that we are not alone, and that we do not face life as if by ourselves. We rejoice in the promises of God for leading, enabling, provision, and protection. We pray for others, and for ourselves. We trust God to fulfill His eternal purpose in the Lord Jesus Christ amid the roiling and raging seas of a fallen world. We seek to please our Father by praying, remembering the wondrous truth that "the prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8). His Biblical light regarding innumerable glories of God's presence and working call us to "unto Thy holy hill and to Thy tabernacles."
We do well to echo the disciples' ancient request, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1). He will answer by leading us to His Word, and to Himself thereby. Indeed, we do well every time we open the Book, or remember its truth, to realize, "I will pray prayers that would never have occurred had I ignored or neglected the Bible. Or I may pray rightly, whereas apart from Scripture, I would have asked amiss." Yes, the Bible inspired by the Holy Spirit serves as the best prompt to pray as motivated, led, and enabled by the Holy Spirit. Teach us to pray? A Textbook exists to educate us, and its Author dwells upon its pages and within our hearts to lead us by the bright light of Scripture that escorts us to our Lord's holy hill and tabernacles.
"Let my cry come near before Thee, O Lord. Give me understanding according to Thy word. Let my supplication come before Thee. Deliver me according to Thy word."
(Psalm 119:169-170)
Weekly Memory Verse
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
(Hebrews 4:15)
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