Prayer is a powerful tool. It's a way for us to connect with the Holy Spirit and tap into a wellspring of strength and guidance from the Lord. But often when we are struggling we don't know the words to pray. Or, we are going through so much, we make prayer a daunting thought in our minds. I know how hard it can be to find the words when you're struggling through a hard time, lacking confidence, or when you need just the right words to press forward in determination. This is why memorizing and praying scriptures is so powerful!
A couple years ago my family and I were in a really hard place. We were battling extreme spiritual warfare and traumatizing illness with our son - and everyone within our home was being affected by it. You could walk through the house and feel the weight of the world in the air. It was HEAVY. I remember thinking to myself, we just can't go on like this. We had to battle back.
I thought through what kind of encouragement each of us needed with what we were going through and looked up scriptures that spoke to those things. I wrote them out on post it notes and then re-worded them into simple personalized prayers below each one. Then I placed them in different areas all over the house that each of us would see so we'd have those words when we needed them most. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, so I encouraged each of us to read them either out loud or quietly in our hearts as we saw them.
Doing this is speaking God's promises over you, and reminding you of TRUTH. Since the enemy often comes in with half truths, deception and lies, this becomes such a powerful tool. It's a simple, uncomplicated way to walk in alignment with God's Will - and it's exactly what Jesus did with the enemy when tempted in the wilderness. What happened when he quoted scripture? He resisted Satan, which made him flee.
I love encouraging women to memorize the scripture during the "easier" times of your life, so that they are there in your heart for the hard. But what if what you memorized isn't the specific scripture you currently need in this season? Or what if you haven't memorized anything at all? No worries! When walking through trauma or trial, the last thing you can mentally handle sometimes is another thing on your to-do's. So here's a simple way for YOU to do this too.
FIND YOUR ANCHOR VERSE:
Begin by identifying a scripture verse that deeply resonates with you. This could be a passage that speaks to your dreams, goals, or challenges you're currently facing. Look for something that stirs your soul or ignites your passion. You can google a key word of something you're struggling with or look up specific words in your Strong's Concordance to find the perfect verse.
Let me share my own experience. I stumbled upon Isaiah 43:19, which says, "Behold I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." Those simple words became my anchor, reminding me that God is at work, making a NEW way in a dry and desert land. He wouldn't leave me or forsake me. It reassured me that even on our darkest days or through our trials, He was working beautiful and amazing things. This verse became the foundation of my prayers and a reminder of His Hope and Truth.
PERSONALIZE AND PRAY:
Take that anchor verse and make it personal. Rewrite it in a way that directly applies to your life. This step is all about internalizing the truth and speaking it out loud with conviction. Let it become your battle cry!
For example, I transformed Isaiah 43:19 into "Thank you for the new thing you are doing here Lord within our family. Please use our circumstances to spring forth rivers in the desert, and provide us hope and comfort for our weary souls." It became a powerful prayer that I repeated daily, reminding myself that God is walking alongside me, working to conquer the hard with good.
Here are some other examples for you:
Anchor Verse: Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Personalized Version: "Lord, I choose not to be consumed by fear, for I trust in the presence of You by my side. May your strength sustain me, may Your help guide me, and may Your unwavering support lift me up."
Anchor Verse: Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Personalized Version: "Lord, help me to have unwavering faith that You, my heavenly Father, will abundantly provide for all my needs. Let me draw from Your limitless riches in Christ Jesus."
Anchor Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Personalized Version: "Lord, with my whole heart, I place my trust in You, surrendering my limited understanding. Help me to acknowledge You in every aspect of my life, knowing that You direct my path and trusting that you do so with clarity and purpose."
MEDITATE AND REFLECT:
Once you have your personalized scripture, take some time to meditate on it. Slow down, breathe, and let the words sink deep into your spirit. Reflect on their meaning and let them guide your thoughts and actions throughout the day.
Whenever doubt or fear crept into my mind, I would pause, close my eyes, and meditate on my personalized verse. It helped me shift my perspective and refocus on the limitless possibilities before me. I also loved that we saw this (and other) scriptures consistently around our house. My son came up to me one day and recited the verse I had placed specifically to speak to Him and I was so surprised that by seeing it so often, the Lord had etched it into his memory and written it in his heart.
WALK IN CONFIDENCE & STRENGTHENED FAITH:
As you begin your prayer, don't hesitate to approach the Lord with confidence. Believe that your words are heard and that your desires are being aligned with His higher purpose. Trust that the scriptures you're praying are alive and active, ready to transform your life.
Remember, it's not about reciting fancy words or following a rigid formula. It's about pouring your heart out, expressing your deepest desires, and surrendering them to a God who is greater than yourself and is able to do abundantly more than you could ever ask or think!
BE OPEN TO GOD WHAT GOD WILL DO:
Prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue. As you pray the scriptures over your life, be open to receiving guidance, signs, and answers to your prayers. Pay attention to the small miracles that unfold and the opportunities that come your way. Journal things out so you never forget His faithfulness and you can look back and see the goodness of God at work.
Sometimes the answers we seek come in unexpected ways. Through prayer, I discovered a new sense of clarity and direction. Doors began to open, and I found myself surrounded by people who believed in me and supported my journey - and if nothing else, I stood on a firm foundation that the enemy could never steal away.
I pray you will embrace the power of praying the scriptures over your life and tap into the wisdom and guidance that lies within these timeless truths. May you find strength, inspiration, and resilience, knowing that when you've hidden God's word in your heart, you're holding a double edged sword that can combat anything that comes your way.
As always, I'm here for you, cheering you on in Him~
xx Krista
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