When God speaks to us it is natural to respond to Him. The Bible should lead us to prayer! Several years ago someone gave me a book about praying the Scriptures. That truth changed my devotional life.

If you pray in the will of God you can know you are praying in the will of God. God’s Word gives substance to your prayers and increases the faith needed to pray it.

Charles Spurgeon said it this way: “The prayers God answers are the ones that begin with Him.” Allow the Scriptures to serve as prayer prompter. The Holy Spirit will use God’s Word to guide your prayers.

Several weeks ago the Lord laid a verse on my heart in my prayer time. It is a promise to Israel specifically, but it reveals a principle of divinely ordered growth. Isaiah 54:2 says,

Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.

This is my prayer for 2018. I am asking God to strengthen my stakes and lengthen my cords.

• Lord, deepen my walk with thee. Deepen my faith and love for thee. Strengthen my stakes.
• Lord, lengthen my cords. Extend my testimony for the glory of God. Expand the work you have given us to reach many more for the Lord.

I don’t want more. I want more from the Lord. I want more for the Lord. Only God can do that.

You may make this prayer your own! Pray for greater root and fruit in your life, family, and church.

As you read the Word of God ask the Holy Spirit to make the Bible your prayer Book. Pray the very words of Scripture and claim the promises of a God who never breaks His Word.

What is your prayer for the new year?