“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
The Word of God, the Bible, is God’s primary way of communicating with us. Prayer is our primary way of communicating with God. As we participate in the Word and prayer, we gain the strength and wisdom we need to navigate life. Successful followers of Jesus rely heavily on the transformational grace available through constant conversation with God.
The Word
Did you know that the Bible is by far the best-selling and most widely distributed book of all time? It is thousands of years old, yet it is read by more people in more languages than any other book. Why? What is it about the Bible that makes it the most sought-after book in the world?
The answer can be summed up in one word: power. There is no other way to explain how an ancient book remains highly relevant and in demand today. God declares that he has endowed the Bible with his sovereign and inexhaustible power:
“So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Paul wrote several passages testifying to the power of the Word of God:
“I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
The writer of Hebrews also testified to the power of God’s Word:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12–13
The Bible’s supernatural power makes it relevant to us in every age, stage, and circumstance of life. It is always new, applicable, and effective. It is truly the living Word of God. Wise is the believer who relies on it, consuming it constantly, handling it correctly, and applying it obediently. The result is freedom and blessing:
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do.” James 1:22–25
Prayer
Prayer is our blessed and unrestricted opportunity to speak with God. Think about the significance of that statement. Why would this glorious privilege be granted to mere humans like you and me? The answer is quite astonishing: God has made us his children!
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:14–15
I often screen phone calls, but when I see a call from one of my kids, everything else gets put on hold. My kids have priority access 24/7. That’s how God feels about us. Prayer gives us full-time priority access to God our Father.
Prayer is transformational — it changes the person who prays. It makes the anxious peaceful, the weak strong, the fearful courageous, and the offended forgiving.
Prayer can also change the course of events. Yes, our faith expressed in prayer can move the heart of God and result in a miracle. Jesus said:
“Truly, I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20–21
It is inspiring and humbling to consider what our faith offered in prayer can accomplish. Inspiring because our prayers can partner with God to bring about miracles. Humbling because our failure to pray can keep miracles from happening. A lack of faith kept Jesus from performing miracles in his hometown of Nazareth:
“He could not do any miracles there except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:4–6
Every believer must rely on constant conversation with God. How else will we know where to go, when to go, what to do, and how to do it? How else will our hearts be emboldened with the courage to step out in faith? How else will we find the strength to overcome temptation, peace to overcome trials, wisdom to overcome obstacles, and hope to overcome grief? All of this and more is available to every believer who relies on daily communication with God through the Word and prayer.
