“Bible study is love reading its Lover’s letters. Prayer is love keeping tryst.” —S.D. Gordon
The Bible is God’s love letter to humanity; more specifically, to you and me. But did you know that the Bible can also be used as our love letter to God?
If you’re a parent, you know how powerful it is when one of your children quote you back to you. Like when my daughter reminds me, “Dad, you said that you would….” Even if I haven’t forgotten what I said, it’s still so nice to know that she was listening to me and remembered what I promised her.
God has never, ever forgotten His word to us. But as our Heavenly Father, He loves to know that we hear His words, that we remember His promises, and that we love Him. So one of the most powerful prayers you can pray is when you pray God’s own words back to Him.
Personalized prayer based on God’s Word is a powerful prayer.
Let me give you an example. Here’s a prayer I wrote out the other day from 1 Chronicles 22:19—
Now…
There is no time to wait, I have to begin now. I cannot put it off a moment longer. It’s never an interruption of my day for me to draw closer to You, my God. Now I come to You in love.
devote…
This is not a partial commitment. I’m giving You my all. I’m laying all of me on Your altar. I’m not holding anything back. It’s all Yours, God, all of me.
your…
This is mine to give, and I’m choosing to give it to You. I’m not living for someone else; I’m not riding anyone’s coattails. I’m giving You what is mine to give. I’m giving you me.
heart…
My dreams, my passions, my desires. They’re all Yours, Heavenly Father. I reserve no passions for my own selfish pursuits, but I only have passion for You.
soul…
My inmost being—who I really am—the part of me that’s truly me is all Yours. My mind, my will, my emotions, my personality is only alive because of You.
seeking…
My longing, my soul’s craving is for You. I look for You’re everywhere and in everything. I seek You in the bird’s song, in the ocean’s roar, in the mountain’s majesty, in the midnight’s silence, in the bee’s buzz, in my children’s laughter, in my wife’s kiss, in my friend’s counsel, in Your love letter to me.
the Lord…
You are Lord over all. There is not now, nor ever will there be, anyone to take Your place in my heart.
your God…
You are mine and I am Yours. Forever. Because You loved me I love You, my God.
Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God (1 Chronicles 22:19).
Use your Bible to form your own powerfully intimate prayers to the Lover of your soul.
Craig T. Owens 