HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Cover by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon
Cover illustration tang / Shutterstock
Author back cover photo Michael Gomez Photography
LET GODS WORD EMPOWER YOUR PRAYERS
These devotions are taken from The Power of a Praying Woman Bible .
Copyright 2008 by Stormie Omartian
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-6566-8 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-6567-5 (eBook)
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C ONTENTS
G ods Word is living and powerful. People who know God and read His Word often already understand that. But what many of us may not realize is how powerful our prayers can be when we include Gods Word in them. Whenever we do that, it not only gives us a solid foundation of truth upon which to base our prayers, but it also grows our faith even as we are praying. The reason to include Scripture in our prayers is not to remind God of what He said. He already knows and He does not forget. It is we who need to be reminded because we do forget. Or we can succumb to doubt. Or perhaps we have not truly understood what the Bible says. Or maybe we have not considered certain verses of Scripture as being applicable to specific subjects about which we want to pray. Whatever the reason, weaving Gods truth into our prayers is life-changing.
It is my prayer that after you have read the Scriptures and devotions in this book, and have prayed the prayers that follow, you will be inspired to include Scripture in your own individual prayers as often as you can. Even if you dont specifically quote a verse word for wordalthough that is very effectivehaving your prayer inspired by Gods Word is powerful as well.
As you read and pray through this book, God will surely impress upon your heart to pray about other specific things, or He may give you knowledge, wisdom, and insight that you want to write down. You will be amazed at how writing down what you hear from Godor want to say to Godwill bless and strengthen you. Plus, it delights Him to hear from you that you love Him and His Word. And pleasing God is the best reward of all.
Stormie Omartian
Read and Consider
Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).
F or all the people we care aboutparents, children, a spouse, friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, or people in need around the worldone of the best things we can do for them is pray. We may not be able to provide them with good health, financial security, or protection from all harm. But we can pray that God will heal them, provide for them, and keep them safe.
The promise to pray for others is one of the finest gifts we can give. Every time we seek the presence of God and the release of His power on behalf of someone else, great things happen. It is the most effective way we can touch others and make a difference in their lives.
The most important thing we can pray about for others is that they will know God better and that He will help them understand His will, grow in spiritual wisdom, and live lives that honor Him. We can pray that they will become more like Him and bear the fruit of His Spirit.
When we pray for others, we are asking God to make His presence known in their lives. We are asking Him to open their heart so they can hear from Him. That doesnt mean there will always be an immediate response. Sometimes it can take days, weeks, months, or even years. But our prayers are never lost or meaningless. If we are praying, something is happening in the lives of those for whom we pray, whether we see it or not. Everything that needs to happen in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones cannot happen without the presence and power of God. Prayer invites and ignites both.
Lord, I pray for the people You have put in my life and on my heart. Fill them with wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of Your will so that they will stay on the path You have for them. I pray they will learn to hear Your voice and come to know You better, so that they can have a closer walk with You. I pray that You will help me to do as Paul did in Your Word and not stop praying for people. Help me to keep praying, even when I dont yet see the answers to my prayers manifesting in their lives. In Jesus name I pray.
Read and Consider
Exodus 8:8-11,28-29; 9:27-30; 10:16-19
Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, I have sinned against the L ORD your God and against you. Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the L ORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me (Exodus 10:16-17).
H ave you ever tried to share your faith with an unbelieving friend, coworker, or employer, only to have that person demonstrate disinterest or even downright hostility? Those around you may reject your concern for them and ignore their own need for a Savior. However, if a crisis comes, those same people will allow you to pray for them. They may even seek you outasking for your prayers, knowing you have a hotline to heaven.
This becomes extremely difficult when we are called to pray for those who have hurt us. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed His followers to disregard the conventional wisdom of the time regarding enemies and practice love through intercession instead. You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45).
