(Eph 5:25,25 NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing with our 10 Steps to Preparedness in Prayer. In our last message I gave you Step 5: Put on Truth and Honesty. Today we will discuss Step 6: Wash Yourself in the Word.
If you read the book of Leviticus you will see all sorts of rituals and routines that the priests went through to be cleansed before they entered the presence of the Lord. Today, we don’t wash ourselves with water, but rather with the Word. As we prepare to pray about a given topic or issue, if we fill our heart with God’s Word concerning it, the Word will help wash away all fear, doubt, and unbelief about whether or not we will receive an answer to our prayers. Additionally, the Word will also help wash away low self-esteem, bitterness, malice, hatred, resentment, anger, and anything else that may be lingering in our heart that will hinder our prayers. The Bible may be words on paper, but it is alive!
Smith Wigglesworth said, “The Bible is the Word of God: supernatural in origin, eternal in duration; inexpressible in valor, infinite in scope; regenerative in power, infallible in authority; universal in interest, personal in application; inspired in totality. Read it through, write it down, pray it in, work it out, and then pass it on.”
John MacArthur said, “This book contains: the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrine is holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be saved, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here heaven is open, and the gates of hell are disclosed. Christ is the grand subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, health to the soul, and a river of pleasure. It is given to you here in this life, will be opened at the judgment, and is established forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and condemn all who trifle with its contents.”
In John 15 Jesus said to His disciples, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you” (v.3). In the 17th chapter, while praying for His disciples and all those who would come after them, Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (v.17). And in our focus text, Paul explains how Christ loved us (the church) enough to give Himself for us, and he goes on to say that Jesus sanctified (purified) us and cleansed us with the washing of water with the Word.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. The more Word you have in you, especially related to whatever you are going to pray about, the better prepared you will be for prayer.
2. As you prepare for prayer, if you rehearse God’s Word it will help get in you in the proper mindset in order to pray in faith.
3. The truth of God’s Word will help purge you of the unrighteous desires of this world. This will help you pray for things that align with God’s will.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word is truth and I am sanctified by Your truth. I get Your Word down in my heart to the point where it becomes the basis for my thoughts. My ways become Your ways. My thoughts line up with Your thoughts. My desires become things that You desire for my life. At this point I will make it a habit to be made clean through Your Word daily. I pray prayers that line up with Your will, because my heart will be purged of unrighteous desires and impure thoughts. I prepare myself for prayer daily, by rehearsing Your Word and as I do, I am able to pray prayers that get results. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
