Pleading the promises is a powerful way to pray, not because we have to convince God to keep His word, but because His promises anchor us in who He is.
God is a covenant-keeping God. He is faithful to His Word and faithful to His children. I am an imperfect earthly parent, yet as far as I am able, I want to honor the promises I make to my children. How much more can we trust our heavenly Father, who is perfect and loves us perfectly?
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
For every burden, need, fear, and circumstance, Scripture gives us truth to stand on. Sometimes God’s promise speaks directly to what He will do. Other times it reminds us of what will always be true about Him. He is with us. He will strengthen us. He hears us. He is at work. He will never stop being faithful.
A promise is not a formula for getting the outcome we want. It is an invitation to place the weight of our lives on the character of the One who made it.
Use your Bible as your promise book. As you read, ask the Holy Spirit, “What are You showing me about who You are? What truth do You want me to hold onto today? How can I pray this Scripture back to You?”
Read His Word in context. Praise the truths it reveals. When your heart needs something solid to stand on, pray His promises.
Here are a few of my favorites. Let them help you begin your own list.
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Jeremiah 29:11-14a
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Habakkuk 3:18-19
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
2 Corinthians 9:8
God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Timothy 1:12
I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him.
Ephesians 3:20
Now He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Philippians 1:6
I am confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
You may not know how the situation in front of you will unfold. But you can know the One who holds you in it.
Take His promises into your prayers, not as leverage to make God act, but as truth that teaches your heart where to rest.
Taken from Prayer Portions.
Prayer Portions Daily Study Guide
12 weeks – 5 days of study within each week
This Daily Study Guide is an interactive workbook that is a companion to Prayer Portions. Each day’s assignment is in two parts-a minimum requirement and an optional Going Further section. The Prayer Portions Daily Study Guide is great for small groups or individual study.
