All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Beginning our quiet time with God without our Bibles open is like trying to read in the dark—we’ll have only limited, dim understanding instead of the bright illumination of God’s Word. Without the knowledge of Scripture we are not only at a loss about how to pray in agreement with the Holy
Spirit, but we are also impaired in our ability to receive God’s response to us. Someone once said, “When I pray, I speak to God; when I read the Bible, God speaks to me.” We could add, “When I pray Scripture, I pray the words of God!” When God’s Word guides our prayers, they become a lively interchange of speaking and listening.
Do you desire God’s wisdom for decisions? Do you need power to live and walk by the Spirit? Would you like to see God’s intervention in the lives of others? Take your Bible with you into your prayer closet. Through it the Spirit will guide you in how to pray, and he will prepare and equip you for every good thing God wants you to do.
THANK YOU, LORD, for not leaving us to walk in darkness and for giving us the light of your Word to guide us. Help me to cherish the wonderful gift I have in your holy Scriptures and to receive its teaching and instruction for my life. Guide my prayers through the inspiration of your Word.
Prayer and the Word are inseparably linked together: power in the use of either depends upon the presence of the other. Andrew Murray (1828– 1917) The One Year Bible Readings for today are Jeremiah 44:24–47:7; 2 Timothy 2:22–3:17; Psalm 94:1-23 and Proverbs 26:6-8.
