As we customize prayers for isolated issues such as generational bents, soul ties, and strongholds of all kinds, we’ll be looking for scriptures that correlate.  Prayers are strengthened when infused with the Word of God.  We pray into them, stand on them make declarations of faith, and even echo the author’s words as they made confessions of repentance.   

To hunt for a scripture, most of us perform a simple word search, and if it seems to fit, we use it.    The problem is, it may be out of context.  We want to make sure to handle the Word with integrity.  To base our prayers on promises that weren’t even meant for us but for someone else in a specific period of time, is to misrepresent it.  

When we find a scripture we want to consider using, we must explore its origins before assuming it fits.  We should go back and read the chapter it’s in.  We should consider the author and to whom he was writing.  We should ask ourselves, “Was this a general promise to God’s people or was it a promise to one person – for a specific purpose and time?”  

When Ron and I faced infertility in our early years of marriage, I leaned into the story of Hannah.  Especially the part when Eli (the priest) announced that God would open her womb and she would have a son.  I was tempted to own that promise for myself, reminding myself that scriptures say that God can open a barren womb.  However, Eli’s words were just for Hannah.  

Before I decided to abandon the idea, I decided there was a way I could incorporate it that would be appropriate.  “Lord, you are the God who has the power to open and close wombs.  Just as you opened Hannah’s, would you also open mine?”  See the difference?  I didn’t use Hannah’s promise as my own; I affirmed that God possesses the power to bring about a miracle, if He chooses to do so.  It might seem like semantics but there is a big difference. 

Lord, give me insight and wisdom when I want to fortify my prayers with Your Word.  I don’t want to misuse it but honor you with it.  Amen