By Kim Butts

Praying Scripture is powerful and effective because:

1. Jesus is the Word.(John 1:1-2, 14)

2. It is the example of Jesus. (Matthew 4:1-11)

3. It is the example of the early Church.(Book of Acts; Acts 4:23-31)

4. His Word is His will. (Timothy 3:16-17)

• Scripture teaches us to know and fulfill God’s will. (John 5:14-15)
• Scripture teaches us God’s will for His Kingdom (Knowing what is on God’s heart). (John 6:38, John 14:10, John 13:34-35, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Matthew 9:37-38, John 17:20-26)
• Scripture teaches God’s will for our place in His Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 30:21, Isaiah 48:17, Psalm 86:11, Psalm 119:105, Romans 12:2)

5. God’s Word allows us to pray the blessings and purposes of God for ourselves and others. (1 Timothy 4:12, Numbers 6:24-26, 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 16; Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

6. Praying the Word gives us confidence and power in our prayer. (John 15:7, Matthew 21:22, 1 John 5:14-15)

7. The Word of God gives us a beautiful, full, rich vocabulary of prayer.  (Psalm 145 and the rest of the book of Psalms)

8. The Word of God helps us to keep our prayer lives fresh and exciting. (Hebrews 4:12, John 15:7)

9. The word of God is flawless. (Psalm 12:6, Psalm 18:30)

10. The Word of God will stand forever. (Luke 21:33, 1 Peter 1:25, Psalm 119:89)

11. Praying the Word of God helps us to develop an intimate relationship with Him and a desire to know Him better. (Psalm 63:1-8)

12. His Word reminds us to stay focused upon Him in prayer. (Psalm 141:8a, 2 Chronicles 20:12c)

13. Praying the Word, which is the sword of the Spirit, gives us authority to stand against the enemy. (Ephesians 6:10-18, Psalm 44:5, Psalm 8:2)

14. Praying the Word of God and hearing it prayed, builds our faith in God’s ability to hear and answer. (Romans 10:17, James 5:15)

15. Praying the Word of God allows the Holy Spirit to work in and through us. (Ephesians 6:17, John 14:26)

16. Praying the Word of God gives us an expression of confession for our sinful natures. (Luke 18:13)

17. Praying the Word of God protects us from sin. (Psalm 119:11)

18. Praying the Word helps us to pray about our own obedience to the Word. (Psalm 119:33-37, James 1:22)

19.  Praying the Word out loud brings blessing when we obey what we hear. (Luke 11:28)

20. His Word will always accomplish what He desires. (Isaiah 55:11)

21. The promises of His Word encourage and uplift us. (Joshua 1:5, Jeremiah 29:11-13)

22. Praying God’s Word is powerful because it is the TRUTH. (John 17:17, John 8:31-32, Psalm 33:4, Ephesians 1:13)

23. It pleases the heart of God to respond to prayers that delight Him, and we know that His Word gives Him pleasure. (1 John 3:21-22)

24. The boldness of praying the Word strengthens our witness to unbelievers.   (1 Peter 2:15)

25. Praying the Word helps us to stand on a firm foundation. (Luke 6:47-48)

26. Praying the Word of God helps us to receive all that God has created with thankfulness and to set these things apart as holy. (1 Timothy 4:4-5, Psalm 33:6, 1 Chronicles 16:23-36)

27. We should pray Scripture SO THAT God is honored and glorified. (John 11:4, John 14:13, Psalm 145:10-12).If you would like to be discipled in praying the Word, we recommend Pray the Word to you.

Kim Butts is Executive Director of  Harvest Prayer Ministries.