Apostle Grace Lubega. COURTESY PHOTO.
When we read the Bible, we do not read it for entertainment or something to be taken lightly.
According to Apostle Grace Lubega of Phaneroo Ministries International, it is important for believers in Jesus Christ to incorporate Scripture into their prayers.
When you pray, always use the Word, he said in a devotional published this week.
The popular Christian leader whose ministry has transcended national borders, explained that an effective prayer life is one in which “our requests to God are shaped by His own Word.”
“If you want to pray effectively, learn to pray the Scriptures because in prayer, God is moved by His Word,” he said.
He then quoted Psalms 107:20 which says, “He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
“If you are believing God to heal you, effective prayer sounds like this, “Lord I thank You because you were wounded for my transgressions, bruised for my iniquities and by your stripes I was healed (1 Peter 2:24). So I thank You because divine health is my portion,” Apostle Lubega said.
“If you are trusting God for provision, effective prayer sounds like this, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation (Psalm 68:19). I cannot lack! The Bible says that God, who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32). I am sufficient in all things,” he continued.
Mr Lubega observed that when a born-again Christian pulls Scripture into their prayer time, “faith rises” and one stirs up their inner man to stand tall in any circumstance.
Hebrews 4:12 says “the word of God is alive and active.” In other-words, it’s a tool, a weapon—a source of power, encouragement and inspiration that’s every bit as potent today as it was thousands of years ago.
Apostle Lubega later quoted Psalm 126:6. It reads: “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
“There are times when one may feel overwhelmed and hard-pressed by circumstances and they find themselves weeping in the presence of God. But even when one weeps, they should not forget the Word. If you are complaining to God about something, complain according to the truth. If you are crying over an issue, cry with His Word,” he explained.
“Hagar witnessed this in her life. When she was thrown out by Sarah and found herself dying in the wilderness with her son, she cried to God. God’s answer reminds us of what great importance He attaches to His Word. The Bible says in Genesis 21:17, “And God heard the voice OF THE LAD; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the VOICE OF THE LAD where he is.” God did not hear Hagar cry, He heard the seed of Abraham, Ishmael, cry,” he went on.
“To fully see the implications of this, you must understand that by the testimony of Luke 8:11, the parable is that the seed is the Word. In Hagar’s case, it was more than just the lad crying, it was the seed of Abraham, which seed by analogy represents the Word. Our theme Scripture [Psalm 126:6] also reminds us of this salient truth. Even if you go forth weeping, you must do so bearing precious seed [the Word]. Like God heard the Word in Hagar’s case, if you go forth weeping yet bearing the Word, your tears shall be turned to joy, that is, you shall enjoy the results of answered prayer,” he said.
Elsewhere, in his article published by The Gospel Coalition, Mr Andy Naselli (PhD, PhD), an associate professor of systematic theology and New Testament for Bethlehem College & Seminary, concluded that in order for believers to incorporate Scripture effectively into their prayer life, they have to spend time in its pages.
“Jesus prayed Scripture. For him to do that, he had to read Scripture, correctly understand Scripture, meditate on Scripture, and then apply Scripture to his specific situation,” he said.
