"He Sent His Word and Healed Them"

Most of my communication is about the stuff of life, practical exchange of necessary information such as, "Please take out the garbage this morning."  Or, “Who’s picking up the kids from school?”
There those conversations that cause us to linger, when words are an expression of what’s in our heart. We talk about our dreams and disappointments. We caress with tender words of affection. We affirm with words of love that sparkle and dance!  Not all the words I use are original. On occasions, I buy the 'words' of another - printed on a card - to express sympathy, love, encouragement, or celebration!

Prayer is our daily conversation with our Abba (heavenly Father). Many of those prayers are often about the mundane stuff of living, aren't they?  Since marriage is a model of our relationship with Him, there are lessons to be drawn from that source. We should pray about our budgets, about the health of our bodies, about our kids and school; talking with the Lord about the ordinary stuff of living.  And, should also find times to pray with worshipful words, thoughtful words, words of wonder, pauses full of awe, interludes of stirred emotions - at least every now and then! The Bible tells us to 'pray about everything!'

Do you have difficulty going beyond  prayers that are like this - "Lord, bless the kids, my wife..."?  Why not borrow the beautiful prayer words of the Scripture? There are some amazing prayers recorded in the Word that touch on our deepest needs, our most intimate longings, that give us ways of expressing our love to Jesus Christ that are incredibly beautiful.

In the Psalms we find ways to express our adoration - "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens." (Psalm 8:1, NIV)  

There are words to help us pour out our grief- "My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O Lord; I lift my pleading hands to you for mercy." (Psalm 88:9, NLT)  

There are words to pray for our friends. What surpasses Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1? "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints." (Ephesians 1:16-18, NIV)

Praying like that takes us out of the superficial ‘bless me’ language, the ruts of communication into which we fall so easily. Remember, the prayers in the Scripture are not just poetry written to our emotions! Those words are Spirit-inspired and are given to fill us with hope. When we make them our own, when we call on the Lord with them, we invite Him to meet our need and to build our faith.  And yes, praying the Word will enrich our understanding of ourselves and our Lord. He will use His Word to change the way in which we think even as we pray those ‘borrowed’ prayers.

So, take time to use the Word in prayer from time to time. May those inspired Words shape your thoughts, express your heart, and deepen your conversation with God.

"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy." (Psalm 107:19-22, NIV)