Praying God’s Word

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

I want to invite you today to pray God’s Word with me. If you’ve never done this before, trust me when I say that you’re in for a treat! Praying God’s Word is simply taking Scripture and infusing into your prayers. When we do this, we are literally speaking God’s Word back to Him, and I know from experience that there is tremendous power that is unleashed when we pray His Word.

I’ve always loved Psalm 139. It’s such a beautiful telling of God’s abundant love for us as His children. From the moment of conception to our final breath, He is there choosing to be intimately acquainted with our details. What an awesome God! He hasn’t missed a beat, not a single moment. Even in our darkest night and in our deepest need, we were never alone. He has never ceased to be by our side. So, as David the psalmist reflects on this tremendous love and detailed involvement of God in his own life, he ends the chapter with the above two verses…a heartfelt response to such love.

True, unadulterated, redeeming love beckons a response, and David’s response is so fitting. Because he has been made aware of God’s radical love for him, his response is one of surrender, submission, and repentance. He asks God to search out his heart and to reveal anything there that might not be appropriate for a child of the King. The last thing David wants to be found doing is grieving the heart of God. Beautiful! If we could but join David in his desire, our own hearts could be purified and made whole. Would you join me in this prayer today? One day at a time, let us become women who are found on our knees at the feet of Jesus in passionate pursuit of Him…no matter the cost.

Jesus,

I am humbled as I reflect on David’s heartfelt response to your love. Far too often I allow myself to forget just how much you adore me. Forgive me for seeking to hide my sinful ways and my foolishness from you out of shame. Today, I ask that you would open up my eyes to any area of my life, any behavior, any thought pattern, any habit, absolutely anything in me that grieves you, Lord. The last thing I want to do is to break your heart, so search me now and test me. You, Jesus, more than anyone know me and my every detail. If there is anything that needs to change, make it known to me today, and give me the grace to walk in obedience to your Word. I want to walk down the path of righteousness, and I want to live in the beauty of your presence. I know that my sin keeps me from those blessings, so I invite you today to have your way in me. Do the necessary work to break me, mold me, and shape me into the masterpiece that you desire me to be, someone fit for your Kingdom and useful in your hands. There is simply no other response to such love than to bow humbly before you and to invite you into every crevice of my heart. Search me and know me, O God. Lead me in the way everlasting. I commit myself to you.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen