It’s funny how God works, isn’t it?
A few weeks back I was reading a book on prayer (“A Praying Life” by Paul E. Miller). I fail a lot daily but I don’t fail at anything like a fail at prayer. I needed help so I took this book recommendation from a friend.
At the same time I was reading the book I started talking to a Christian counselor.
Two totally different things, one great lesson: Speak.
In Miller’s book he breaks down how Jesus prays — and who better to imitate than Christ Himself? One of the things Jesus does is pray out loud. We know Jesus prayed out loud because the disciples heard Him and His prayers are transcribed in the Bible, Miller said.
“Praying out loud can be helpful because it keeps you from getting lost in your head. It makes your thoughts concrete. But it is more than technique; it is also a statement of faith. You are audibly declaring your belief in a God who is alive,” Miller wrote.
Then with my counselor I discussed the importance of speaking God’s truth over my life. Not just reading it but audibly praying and speaking Scripture.
Heroes of the Bible cried aloud to God so why shouldn’t we?
When I feel weak I will pray 2 Corinthians 12:9 out loud: “The Lord said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ my rest upon me.”
When I feel insecure I will pray Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I was conceived, God knew me. Before I was born He set me apart.”
You can read these verses over and over again and understand them in theory, but have you experienced them? Have you felt the peace and security of your heavenly Father wash over you?
It’s most often people’s words that can hurt us the most. So why aren’t we fighting the discouragements and insecurities the world throws at us with words as well. And these aren’tjustwords. They are Scripture. These words are God-breathed.
Paul Miller and my counselor are both right. There is peace in speaking the word of God. There is power in audibly declaring your faith in God.
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
