2 Samuel 7:18-25 – True Prayer is Fuelled by God’s Word
David responds to God’s word both by praise, in verses 18-24, and then by petition in vs 25-29. In other words he responds to what God has said both by praising him for it – and by asking that God would do what he’s just said he will. Even that structure teaches us something very simple, but also very significant about prayer. And that is, that true prayer is fuelled by God’s word.
If a brand-new Christian asked me how they should structure their personal devotions, if they asked for advice about a quiet time, I would say, what I think anyone would say, that the two main parts of it should be reading the Bible and prayer. But I would also suggest that they do it in that order. I would tell them that they will probably find it easier to pray if they read the Bible first. Of course, it’s good to pray before we read the Bible. Along the lines of Psalm 119v18: ‘Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things out of your law’. But I would tell them to leave their main prayer time until after they’ve read. Then use what they’ve read to shape and fuel their prayers. Perhaps the passage you’ve read has told you something about God. Use that truth as something to praise and thank him for. Maybe the passage has highlighted a particular sin that you need to confess. If you pray after you read, it will give you a natural opportunity to do just that. Or maybe you’ve just read some great promise of God. Well then turn that into prayer, that God would do what he’s said he would.
It’s that last one in particular that we see in this passage. David has received amazing, mind-blowing promises from God. In response he does the only obvious thing. He turns round and prays that God would do what he’s said that he’ll do. We tend to think that if God has promised us something, then it means that we don’t need to pray for it. When actually, what we see in the Bible is that God’s promises are meant to drive us to prayer. It’s not that he’s forgotten and needs reminded. But one of the reasons he gives us these promises is to stir us up to pray. He gives us the promises that we might turn them back to him in prayer. True prayer is fuelled by God’s word.
Question
- Why is it good to pray after we read God’s Word?
Prayer Points
- Pray that God would fulfil His promises – be specific.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.