“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Phil. 1:9-11).

“We know not what we should pray for, as we ought, neither what, nor how to pray. But here [in the Bible] is the Spirit’s own inspired utterance, and, if the praying be molded on the model of His teaching, how can we go astray? Here is our God-given liturgy and litany—a divine prayer book. We have here God’s promises, precepts, warnings, and counsels. Not to speak of all the Spirit-inspired literal prayers contained therein; and, as we reflect upon these, our prayers take their cast in this matrix. We turn precept and promise, warning, and counsel into supplication, with the assurance that we cannot be asking anything that is not according to His will, for are we not turning His own word into prayer?” A.T. Pierson in George Mueller of Bristol

As we use God’s Word in our prayer conversation with Him, we will gain assurance (1 John 5:14,15), and cultivate prayer as personal, spiritual conversation.

“I will praise You, For You have answered me,
And have become my salvation…

I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.” Psalm 118;21; 119:26

J.B.W.