Should We Pray Scripture?

IS IT BIBLICAL TO "PRAY SCRIPTURE"?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

I received the above question from a reader who follows my online teachings. She sought to find out if the practice of "praying the word of God" is consistent with the teachings of Scripture.

For those who may not be familiar with this practice, a brief description would perhaps be useful.

Those who practice this type of prayer would usually pick a Scripture verse from the Bible at random and especially where certain promises are found. They then "claim it and pray it" word for word in the hope that God would quicken the word into action in their circumstances of need and cause a miracle to happen.

For instance, where a believer is provoked by those who distress him, he would pick Psalm 143:12 which says "In Your mercy cut off my enemies And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant."

The believer "prays over"  this Scripture over and over until something happens to his enemies or people who offended him!

This "word prayer" approach is believed to be a powerful method that touches the heart of God and brings fast relief because, in the mind of the practitioner, the words used are powerful and effectual and carry the seal of God.

Does God respond more swiftly to prayer simply because a believer has engaged in "word prayer"?

Is this method of prayer more effective than "ordinary" prayer and should it be recommend to believers?

Allow me to first set the record straight. We are not questioning the authority and efficacy of the word of God in this discussion. The word of God is preeminent, infallible, inerrant and trustworthy. Its promises are eternally true. It reveals the mind of God for His people and His eternal plan for our redemption.

We should therefore stand on the proclamations and precepts of Scripture and allow the word to speak to our circumstances in context.

I believe that prayer based on the knowledge of Scripture is important for every child of God. The word of God is the guide to our understanding of God and outlines the basis by which we can relate to Him in truth.

The word of God undoubtedly speaks to every conceivable circumstance that may come our way.

I further believe that God is faithful to honor His promises to God's people that are contained in Scripture. However there are several reasons revealed in Scripture that explain unanswered or delayed prayer.

The truth is that God remains sovereign over our circumstances, including those that are unpleasant. He cannot be manipulated by devices or tactics. His divine will shall be fulfilled in the end.

Having said as much, I wish to propose two tests that I consider to be essential in the establishment or validation of a Christian doctrine or practice.

My view is that biblical authority and historical practice are central to the authentication of a Christian doctrine or practice

The first and perhaps most significant question is thus - Does Scripture prescribe the doctrine or practice in question? Is it expressly or impliedly commanded in the word of God?

Some would perhaps cite Psalm 1 and say that Scripture commands believers to meditate on the word of God in order to succeed in their ways.

However, this is not the same thing as Scripture praying! Meditation is a devotional approach by which we assimilate the word of God into our hearts for our spiritual edification.

The "word praying" as described above is far different from mediation.

The second test to consider is whether the practice is identified with the New Testament Church?

Is it mentioned anywhere in the New Testament Scripture? Is it a doctrine or practice that some or all of the New Testament Churches embraced?

My view is that if the answers to both questions are in the negative or if any element of uncertainty obtains, then the doctrine or practice in question probably fails. Its admission into Christian faith and practice is therefore doubtful.

"Scripture praying" in the context in which it is advanced by sections of the charismatic movement is a strange practice. It is not based on a methodical choice of the relevant Scriptures and is haphazardly engaged often outside the passage context.

Besides, Old Testament Scriptures should be interpreted in context, bearing in mind the socio-cultural and historical contexts that informed their authorship.

The poetry in the Psalms and wisdom literature should for instance be interpreted with care, bearing in mind their purposes and the authority of the revelation of the New Testament Scripture.

When a believer reads Psalm 143:12 above, they should be aware of the present truth taught in the New Covenant.

Here is why...

Jesus commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43-48). How should we reconcile this teaching with the above Scripture?

Elsewhere in the New Testament, the Bible warns believers against seeking revenge, saying that vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30).

When we passionately seek the demise of our enemies, we are invariably sitting in the judgment seat. We ought to allow God to have His way in all things.

Finally, if the practice of word prayer is informed by the Word of Faith doctrines, then the practice is utterly misplaced.

The Word of Faith teachers claim that believers can speak things into existence because God has placed in their tongue  power by which they can simply proclaim things into life.

They teach that believers have power to confess and possess whatever they desire from God at the click of the finger!

My view is that this doctrine is inconsistent with biblical truth for two reasons.

First, it countermands the sovereignty of God and attempts to enthrone the believer in His place. Scripture nowhere teaches that God has abdicated His sovereign power or has donated it to the believer. He eternally remains God.

Secondly, it assumes that God works at the command of the believer. The idea that prayer unlocks heaven in an instant when we pray or that God is under a covenant obligation to respond to prayer is misleading.

God, in the exercise of His sovereign grace, can reject or withhold His answer to a petition if its objects are inconsistent with His perfect will for us under a given set of circumstances (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; James 4:4-5).

CONCLUSION

In all circumstances, God's sovereignty should be acknowledged even as we claim His promises. He has the final say. Even in circumstances that God declines our petitions, His perfect will for us still served.

Some of the promises contained in the Old Testament Scriptures are contextual to specific circumstances under which they were given by God.

For instance, Jeremiah 29:11 is a good example of a Scripture which is often quoted out of context. While we can borrow principles for life Christian life application from this Scripture, the  context is plain. God was addressing the anxiety of the Jews who were in Babylonian captivity. He assured them of His covenant love even in their unpleasant circumstances.

We should therefore balance the Old Testament Scriptures against present truth that is taught in the New Testament so that the full counsel of God is proclaimed.

Finally, our objects for proclaiming these promises should be godly.

Word prayer is biblical in so far we apply the truths of Scripture in a manner that advances the gospel and honors Christ.

Shalom





© Ezekiel Kimosop 2019