A Very Important Question
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)
Two weeks ago, I had the privilege of recording another podcast for Every Part, a division of Sharing Bread Ministries. You can find my first podcast interview here. During our discussion, one of the moms asked me a very important question: “How has the Bible impacted your life?”
My immediate answer was, “The Bible changed the way I pray for my children.” Early on in our parenting journey, I discovered that God’s Word is a great tool for verbalizing my deepest desires and prayers for my children. Isaiah 45:11 (NASB) says, “Ask Me about the things to come concerning My sons and you commit to Me the work of My hands.” God claims ownership and responsibility for our children and commands us to ask him on their behalf. And so I do. Here are just a few of my “go to” prayer verses for our family.
For God’s Work in our lives:
“Work in us what is pleasing to you.” Hebrews 13:21
“Do as you have promised” 2 Samuel 7:25
For suffering:
“Don’t let the hardship be insignificant before you.” Nehemiah 9:32
For God’s favor and blessing on any phase of our work or study:
“Bless all his skills, Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands.” Deuteronomy 33:11
For God’s clear direction:
“When you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
For daily living:
“The people who know their God will display strength and take action.” Daniel 11:32 NASB95
For God’s protection and help in time of need:
“May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; May the name of the God of Jacob protect you,” Psalm 20:1
There are dozens of other verses that help shape my prayers. You can find some of them here. And just to be clear, this method of praying is not a prosperity “name it and claim it” endeavor. Instead, it is simply taking God at His Word and following King David’s example to take God’s promises back to Him and say, “Do as you have promised.” I like using Bible verses as prayers because they are concise, clear, and to the point! “Short prayers are long enough,” said Charles Spurgeon.
After our interview I came home and kept thinking about the moms’ important “how has the Bible impacted your life” question. It’s one that all of us should be able to answer. I made several pages of notes on the many ways the Bible has impacted my life, but I believe one of the most important ways is this: The Bible gives me a lens by which to view all of the rest of life. It gives me a coherent worldview and allows me to answer the five questions all of us must answer at some point in our lives:
Who am I? (a question of identity)
Where did I come from? (origin)
Why am I here? (purpose)
Where am I going? (eternity)
How do I know right from wrong? (morality)
As Christians, we believe we are image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26); who are created by God (Genesis 1:27); made for His glory (Isaiah 61:3); headed to spend an eternity in a place He has prepared (John 14:2); and knowing right from wrong because He has given us a conscience (Romans 1:20) and His commands (Psalm 119:11) based on His character.
The Bible doesn’t just help me know who I am and why I’m here. It also helps me know God the way He wants to be known. It helps me understand God’s persistent love and plan of rescue and redemption through Jesus Christ’s perfect life, death, resurrection, and ascension.
God’s Word changes me by giving me an informed mind; a changed heart; and a transformed life that should be progressively conformed to Christ’s likeness.
The Bible gives me:
Comfort in my grief
Purpose for my pain and suffering
Light for my darkness
Peace for my soul and
Assurance of my salvation
Author Paul Tripp wisely writes, “The Bible is God’s constant curriculum, and it has no graduation ceremony.” It is God’s great gift that is timeless, true, and trustworthy.
How has the Bible changed your life?