But, You Promised…

Your prayer life can flourish with power simply by learning to pray God’s promises.

We’re learning about a variety of ways of “praying in the Spirit.” Though the gift of tongues is a wonderful, miraculous gift that can connect believers to God, not everyone has the gift and yet, all believers are commanded to be “praying at all times in the Spirit…” (Eph. 6:18, ESV).

One of the simplest, most powerful ways to “pray in the Spirit” is to pray God’s Word.

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary and promised her that she was going to give birth to the Messiah, she was overawed but uttered a great prayer: “… let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV). Mary’s simple prayer is a splendid model for all prayer.

It is to pray: Oh God, you have made marvelous, unimaginable promises that are better than what I could have ever asked on my own—so, Lord, I bring not my own, natural, limited requests to You—I bring your own promises. Let it be unto me according to your Word.

The power of your prayer life isn’t rooted in your commitment to cajole God; powerful prayer flows from God’s Word.

Any parent knows that there is an invisible power attached to a child’s simple claim: “But you promised!” If you’ve ever promised your child ice cream, you know there is a world of difference between a child asking, “Can we get some ice cream today?” and a child correctly admonishing the parent, “Can we get ice cream now since you promised that we would?”

If we earthly parents feel bound by our promises and our children know that claiming promises is always more powerful than making appeals, how much more so does God delight in keeping His Word? I’d rather my prayer be filled with one claimed promise than a dozen personal requests.

Know, believe, and pray the promises of God, and your prayer life will ignite. You’re God’s child and He has given you many precious promises. They’re yours in Christ and you can talk openly to God about all of them. Bring God’s Word back to God as the source and substance of your intercession and petition. When you do, you’re praying in the Spirit. And that’s the Gospel!