βThy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against theeβΒ (Psalm 119:11).
Todayβs Scripture, believe it or not, lies at the heart of prayer.
Like innumerable other Christian subjects, prayer is terribly misunderstood. Superstition thus lurks in this realm. Since not considered dispensationally, prayer is usually such an unspeakable burden, a taxing exercise with mysterious and often unexpected results. Little wonder so many stumble therein!
As God has already spoken to us through His Word, the Holy Bible, so we now speak to Him through prayer. Prayer, of course, must be βPaulineβ if it will have the impact Father God intended. The only way our prayers can be Pauline is if our doctrine is Paulineβharmonious with what the Lord says to us through the Apostle PaulΒ (Ephesians 3:1,2). WeΒ cannotΒ force God to do something He is no longer doing. Yanking verses from other dispensations, claiming prayer promises GodΒ neverΒ gave us, is a sure way to wind up a bitter opponent of Christianity!
God the Holy Spirit speaks in Romans through Philemon, then we read and store or believe that information with the heart (cf. todayβs Scripture). Psalm 62:8 comments:Β βTrust in him at all times; ye people,Β pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.βΒ Prayer is heartfelt communion with Father GodβnotΒ mindless repetition of denominational proclamations!
Watch how Hannah prayed:Β βAnd it came to pass, as she continuedΒ prayingΒ before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah,Β she spake in herΒ heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, butΒ have poured out my soul before the LORDβΒ (1 Samuel 1:12-15). She read Godβs Word to herβparticularly the Mosaic Lawβand she prayed according to it. Scripture was in her heart, and her prayer was the pouring out of her soul. This led to the birth of the Prophet Samuel.
Brethren, our prayers will be equally powerful when we pray the Pauline way! source