I wonder how many of us have considered praying the Scripture daily as we read? George Muller of Bristol attributed this practice to changing his walk with the Lord.
There have been many books written about George Muller (1805 – 1898), particularly in regards to the children’s orphanages. He is said to have cared for some ten thousand children during his lifetime and he only made their needs known to God in prayer. Muller had been working for some ten years when he developed a practice that changed his life. He began to pray the scriptures he was reading daily.
“The difference, then, between my former practice and my present one is this: formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible, and generally spent all my time till breakfast in prayer, or almost all the time. At all events I almost invariably began with prayer. . . . But what was the result? I often spent a quarter of an hour, or half an hour, or even an hour on my knees before being conscious to myself of having derived comfort, encouragement, humbling of soul, etc.; and often, after having suffered much from wandering of mind for the first ten minutes, or quarter of an hour, or even half an hour, I only then really began to pray”.
“I scarcely ever suffer now in this way. For my heart being nourished by the truth, being brought into experimental [today we would say “experiential”] fellowship with God, I speak to my Father and to my Friend (vile though I am, and unworthy of it) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word. It often now astonishes me that I did not sooner see this point”.
How many of us read the Word of God today in a superficial way and rush on to the next important thing in our busy lives? Muller’s journals record thousands of answered prayers, many of them came on the same day and he had no concerns for the children, he gave them over to God.
Yesterday I quoted Ephesians 4:30-32, section begins V29.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph 4:29 (Say only what helps, EACH WORD A GIFT. MSG)
We could pray this, “Lord help me not speak unhelpful words to others, or about them. Let my words encourage and build up others”.
30 And do not grieve (offend, vex or sadden Him AMPC) the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4
Pray, “Lord help me not to grieve your Spirit”, how often do we do this and are not even aware of it? We need to become more sensitive to His presence in our lives.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We could pray, “Lord deliver me from All bitterness, rage etc and let me be Kind, Compassionate and Forgiving to others”.
Praying God’s Word may take more time, but will allow God’s character to be formed in us – EXPERIENTIAL NOT JUST MENTAL ASSENT and then rushing on with our own lives.
God bless and keep you today.