Bible-Based Prayer Power: Using Relevant Scripture to Pray with Confidence for All Your Needs (Life Lessons Topical Bible Study Series) - Softcover

Anderson, Ken

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0785268693 ISBN 13: 9780785268697

Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2000

Synopsis

Bible-Based Prayer Power features a new technique for talking to God that's as old as the Bible. Ken Anderson teaches readers the unique STEPS approach to prayer and gives them a topically arranged resource for incorporating the approach into their prayer lives. STEPS is an acronym for "Scripture Teaches Effective Prayer Strategy," a principle based on John 15:7 ("If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.") Bible-Based Prayer Power moves readers into a more vibrant prayer life by making Bible promises practical and personal.

About this title

About the Author

Ken Anderson was a free-lance writer for more than half a century, authoring some forty books, hundreds of magazine articles and short stories. He was also active in the production of motion pictures and videos.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

BIBLE-BASED PRAYER POWER

Using Relevant Scripture to Pray with Confidence for All Your Needs

By KEN ANDERSON

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2000 Ken Anderson
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-7852-6869-7

Contents

1. Introducing STEPS.......................................................
3
2. The Origin of STEPS.....................................................
11
3. Prototypes to Get You Started...........................................
19
Topics.....................................................................
43
Appendix A: Proof Positive.................................................
287
Appendix B: STEPS Spin-Offs................................................
289
Topics Index...............................................................
291
STEPS Nuggets Index........................................................
294
About the Author...........................................................
295

CHAPTER 1

Introducing STEPS

Welcome to STEPS, new ideas about prayer that are as old asthe Bible.

STEPS is an acronym formed from the identifying statement thatScripture Teaches Effective Prayer Strategies. Through investigationand implementation, this new approach has enriched for me themeaning and function of prayer beyond anything I could have anticipatedor imagined.

As I shall more fully explain, STEPS involves reinforcing yourprayers with precepts and promises from the Bible. In the discovery,development, and use of this new method, I have learned twoimportant truths.

I have learned what prayer is not. It is not dialing Heaven 911 intimes of emergency, imploring God to come to our rescue, solve allour problems, heal, and fortify. Nor is prayer like a letter to Santa,listing our wants, which God is to promptly provide, plus makingknown our wishes for His priority attention.

Instead, I am learning that when I pray, I become like a lamb inthe arms of its shepherd, which is a relationship more intimate thanthe most endearing of human involvements. It is the kind of fellowshipJesus indicated when in John 15:4, He said to His disciples,"Abide in Me, and I in you." This abiding involves basic trust inwhich my supreme desire is to please Him, even in the requests Imake to Him. I desire more to please Him than to seek favors fromHim. If my prayers are not answered as I would wish them to be, Ican say, "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God inChrist Jesus for you" (1 Thess. 5:18).

For many years, I struggled with prayer. I knelt by my bed at nightas if that formality might have virtue of some sort. In later years, Ipaced back and forth in my room or went for long walks duringwhich I tried to pray. I never felt at ease, no matter what position orprocedure I used.

Time seemed to drag, I often became bored while in prayer. OnceI even wondered if my watch had stopped. Most difficult of all wasgroup prayer. I have never felt comfortable talking to God in thepresence of others.

Developing a prayer notebook helped me a bit. I was even commissionedto produce a prayer notebook for the small denominationof which I was a member. It was impressively published, and I experienceda moment of pride when I first held it in my hands andthumbed through it. I tried to use it, but the old boredom syndromeprevailed and I soon set it aside.

At a conference I attended, an all-night prayer meeting wasannounced, beginning at ten-thirty. I estimated some fifty peoplewere there. I participated—once—but words seemed to knot up onmy tongue. We were all kneeling in the conference chapel, and byeleven, my knees began to ache. Around midnight, a few peoplearose to leave. The leader rebuked them kindly, urging them to stay.Two or three remained another half hour or so.

One man fell asleep and snored loudly.

In spite of the leader's admonition, people continued to leave, andby two o'clock, intervals between prayers had grown longer andlonger. After an abrupt benediction, we were dismissed.

The memory of that extended prayer time lingered long. Ittroubled me.

Years later, passing through London on my way to a Europeanfilm assignment, I was invited to give a midnight report to theall-night prayer meeting of a large mission. When I arrived,people were having a coffee break. They seemed happy, relaxed,purposeful.

"One seldom hears of all-night prayer meetings anymore," I saidto the director of the mission.

"We do it every month," he replied. "We begin at nine o'clock, andit takes us at least until four in the morning to pray for all the people,all the families, remembering everyone individually by name, plus allthe activities in which these people are involved. There are more thantwo thousand of them."

I think this group's experience was the exception, not the rule. I'mnot speaking against lengthy times of prayer. I'm simply documentingthe problem I had for many years.

But then the Lord brought STEPS into my life. By its very format,it vitalized my times of prayer.

1. STEPS is an easily understood and applied procedure.

2. Related promises from the Bible reinforce people, circumstances,and needs in my prayers.

3. I pray reverently but informally, enjoying warm rapport withthe Lord.

You, too, can benefit from using the STEPS method.

Here is an example of STEPS in action.

Let's suppose you are under much stress. Your job gets youdown. Money is scarce. You may also be the victim of demeaninggossip. Having checked the topics section of this book, you proceedalphabetically to Stress. There you find several selections foryour consideration. Realizing that your Lord has a whimsical aswell as a solemn nature, and that He wishes to relate to you inyour humanness rather than any kind of stuffy piety, you considerinitially reinforcing your prayer with the listing "In up to yourneck, Psalm 69:1": "Save me, O God! For the waters have comeup to my neck."

You could then pray in this way: "That says it for me, Lord—up tomy neck and then some. You know what kind of day I've had. Pleasehelp me to settle down. Help me to get a better grip on myself."

Next, you could turn to another item under Stress: "Your Lord canhandle your load, Psalm 55:22": "Castyour burden on the LORD, and Heshall sustain you."

"That's a new one," you perhapspray. "You mean, I actually transferthese tensions and pressures ontoYou? It's like learning a new language.Okay, I'll give it a try."

Here is where you begin a newapproach to prayer. Checking the Deliverance references, you findPsalm 57:2: "I will cry out to God ... who performs all things for me."Your prayer may continue like this: "Just the way it says in the Biblehere, Lord, I throw these problems onto You. I don't know how it happens,but by faith, I do it because the Bible tells me to do it. Your Wordassures me that it is You who performs all things for me."

In the exercise of your faith, you take the Bible at face value. Youname your tension points as you cast your burden on the Lord. Inthis brief example of prayer concerning stress, your procedure wouldbe to quietly wait. Let the Lord calm you with His gentleness anddiminish your stress until it is gone.

You will develop expertise as you become familiar with and practicedin the STEPS method. In another chapter, I offer a series ofprototypes to help you develop your prayers.

Heavy stuff? Not necessarily. Just because something is new doesn'tmake it complicated.

STEPS is not a gimmick or an attempt to be clever. It is a newapproach for talking to God that lies at the heart of the Bible.

Correct Use of Bible Promises

Here are simple guidelines to assist you, especially when you faceurgent circumstances.

1. Spend several moments with John 16:13, inviting the HolySpirit to guide you into the correct understanding and use ofScripture.

2. As you pray, quote the promise you consider using, and ask theLord to help you.

3. Consult one of the standard Bible commentaries, such asMatthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible or Jamieson,Fausset and Brown's Commentary, for clearer understanding. Youmay find them at Christian bookstores, your church library, ormost public libraries.

4. Avoid hurrying. In quiet meditation, wait upon the Lord toguide you.

5. Rest your case with James 1:5–6.

There is no need for apprehension. As you experience the vitalityof 2 Peter 3:18 and "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lordand Savior Jesus Christ," your motivations will become increasinglypositive. You will be comfortable with both the Old Testament andthe New Testament, developing expertise in "rightly dividing theword of truth."

May these be holy moments as you contemplate the new spiritualagenda discussed in Bible-Based Prayer Power. Let your foremostdesire be an ever-intensifying personal relationship with your Lord.In Colossians 1:9–10, Paul prayed for his friends "that you may befilled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritualunderstanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasingHim, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledgeof God."

You dare not miss what the Lord is telling you in these quotations!You can be "fully pleasing Him."

It will happen when—through prayer and widened understandingof the Bible—you are increasing in the knowledge of God.

Have a great walk!

CHAPTER 2

The Origin of STEPS

It may be helpful for you to know the events that caused the STEPSmethod to become such a vital part of my Christian experience.

For several summers, I served as one of the chaplains in the BaseballChapel ministry, which touches the lives of many professional athleteswith the influence of the Bible. My first chapel assignment was withthe Chicago Cubs. We met in their conditioning room at WrigleyField where I used as my pulpit the seat of an exercise bicycle.

With no thought of selecting a theme significant to myself, butsearching for something catchy out of pro baseball jargon, I chose asmy subject "The Bible Is God's Contract."

It was contract time for several of the Cubbies, and they listenedintently. Using Proverbs 3:5–6, I showed the men what Godexpects of us and what we can expect of Him when we ask forguidance.

Your Part God's Part

Trust in the LORD with all your And He shall
heart, and lean not on your own direct your paths.
understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge Him,

On a hunch, I had made extra copies of my notes in case any ofthe players wished to have the Bible references for review. To mydelight, nearly every man took one, then headed out to the field forpregame warm-ups. A member of the pitching staff lingered.

"My wife and I have a neighborhood Bible study," he told me. Hekept glancing at the notes.

A half dozen copies remained, and I gave them to him.

A year later, I received a chapel assignment with the Oakland A's.Entering the dressing room, I was startled to hear someone call myname. It was the same ballplayer who, during the winter months, hadbeen traded to the Athletics by the Cubs.

"My wife and I are still working on that thought of the Bible beingGod's contract," he told me. "You've got something there. Are youplanning to do anything with it?"

I don't remember the thought ever crossing my mind until then. Ihad just completed my book Where to Find It in the Bible, and as Ibrowsed its pages, I realized there were troves of contractual statementsin the Bible. I began seeking them out and using them in myprayers. I found the procedure most pleasant and, in many instances,productive.

If you'd like to experiment, consider Philippians 4:6–7, one of themost prominent prayer promises in the Bible, especially for use duringtroubled times. The following example shows how you mightpray as you allow the Bible to reinforce what you say to your heavenlyFather. (In the example, the Scripture phrase is in italics, followedby the suggested prayer.)

Be anxious for nothing,

But I am anxious, Lord. Tied up in knots. I can't get rid of my anxiety.Not in my own strength. I've got to have help ... Your help.but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, letyour requests be made known to God;

I don't understand the supplication part, Lord. Please teach me.You know my biggest problem. I'm terrified that the boss iscoming down any day now to evaluate my department. But Youtell me not to worry. The only way that can happen is for You totake the worry away. With thanksgiving, the Bible says. Okay,by faith I thank You for the help You are going to give me. Youpromise, Lord. Help me to believe Your promise.

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guardyour hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

You said it, Lord. It's in the terms of Your contract with me. I'mpromised peace instead of anxiety. I trust You to do what You sayYou will do.

This example is from one of the Bible's most familiar passages,Psalm 23 (the Scripture phrase is in italics, followed by the suggestedprayer):

The Lord is my shepherd;

My Shepherd. I like the sound of it, Lord, but I admit I've neverreally understood it before, much less experienced it. But I wantit now. I want You for my Shepherd, and I want to be one of Yourlambs. Please take control of my thinking. Please make it happen.

I shall not want.

I know it's true. You will take care of me anywhere, underany circumstances. Help me to get it into my head, to beable to believe fully.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside thestill waters.

What's this all about? Life's no flower garden. I don't expect itto be. But as in that planning meeting where they put the scissorsto my proposal, You helped me hang in there. I was reallyshocked. But thank You, Lord, for helping me enough that Ididn't shout any more than I did.

He restores my soul;

I stray and come back, O Lord. That's where I so often miss it.Show me what You mean when You say You restore my soul.You promise restoration, right here in Your Word. Help me tobelieve it and receive it.

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Lord, I'm sinful to the core. It's for "His name's sake," Yourrighteousness in me, that makes the difference.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fearno evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

I've always had this thing about death. But here it isn't the valleyof death. It's the valley of the shadow of death. I want to livea long time, but I realize now that when death comes, it'sthrough the shadow into Your presence.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Youanoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

I live in this secular world, Lord. I can't possibly make it on myown. I didn't realize how available You are. I'm so grateful for allof Your blessings.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; andI will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

It's not just what You did for me yesterday, Lord, or the plansYou have for today. There's tomorrow's blessing. I thank andpraise You. All this and heaven too. What a deal!

The following selection from Psalm 139 (vv. 23–24) furtherdemonstrates how you can blend scripture in your prayer. It's one ofthe best selections in the Bible for searching your heart, examiningyour motives, and shaping up your thought life.

The prayer is illustrative only. I suggest you have your own STEPSexperience with this excellent example. Personalize your prayervocabulary. Express your feelings. Make it your prayer.

Search me, O God,

When I get down to the reality of what the Bible says here, itscares me. With Your help, I can handle it.

and know my heart;

I mean it, Lord. Know me.

try me, and know my anxieties;

So much pressure. Never sure of myself. I miss half the sermon,wondering—mostly worrying—about Monday. Isn't theChristian life supposed to be better than this?

and see if there is any wicked way in me,

See if I have sins? I have them, Lord. Please make me clean.Being really clean is where it's at. I know that, Lord.

and lead me in the way everlasting.

As Your Word says, You lead me. I will fall flat on my face if I tryto make it on my own. Be my Shepherd, my Lord.

This casual approach to God may be awkward for you at first,especially if you're accustomed to the "Thee and Thou" kind of formality.There is nothing wrong with the formal approach as long asit occurs in the intimate spirit I mentioned earlier.

Yes, you are praying to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Heunderstands you in whatever manner you approach Him. The pointis that God understands you best when you speak to Him as a childto his father, in this case his heavenly Father!

Words of the Bible, especially verbs, have become stimulatinggems of exploration.

On a motion picture assignment in Honduras, for example, I flewone day with a missionary pilot on an hour's jaunt. Reaching for aBible alongside his flight log, he shouted to me above the din of thesingle-engine Piper, "When I have good weather and clear passage,I often use flying to fit in some time with the Book."

"Finding any new things?" I asked.

"Sure am," he replied. He handed the Bible to me. "Look up theThirty-seventh Psalm."

I found the psalm and gestured for the pilot to proceed.

"Read the fourth verse," he said.

Almost shouting, I read, "Delight yourself also in the LORD, andHe shall give you the desires of your heart."

At that moment, we hit one of those precarious downdrafts commonto Honduran mountain terrain. It was as though the maneuvercaused the verse to leap up from the page before my eyes.

"What do you think it means?" the pilot shouted.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from BIBLE-BASED PRAYER POWER by KEN ANDERSON. Copyright © 2000 Ken Anderson. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0785268693
• ISBN 13: 9780785268697
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304