Praying God's Word Verse by Verse: The New Testament Letters

By Rachel Truex

Praying God's word is the most powerful way to invite God's blessings into your life. If you want to experience God's richest blessings and highest purpose for your life, you know that you need to spend time in prayer and spend time in the Bible, the inspired word of God. But who has the time? And how exactly do you do it? Praying God's Word Verse by Verse is a unique book that will guide you as you pray your way through the New Testament instructions written to believers. Author Rachel Truex has been leading people in praying through God's word via an e-mail group and blog since 2007, and she can attest to the fact that God does indeed answer prayers, prayer that is in line with God's will, which is found in God's word, the Bible. By dividing up the New Testament letters into easy-to-pray segments with action-oriented prayers designed to help you implement God's word into your daily life, Praying God's Word Verse by Verse will help you own your faith and live God's word in ways you haven't experienced before. God's word has the power to change you and your world in ways you cannot imagine, and praying the Bible is the vehicle that will take you to places in your heart that you may not have ever spent time in before. Prayer is your communication line with God, and asking him for what he already wants you to have is like opening a gift from the Lord every time you pray his words. Come join this heart-transforming journey, and let God's word become part of who you are!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781635251746

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Praying God’s Word

Verse by Verse:

The New Testament Letters

Volume 1: Romans - Colossians

Rachel Truex

ISBN 978-1-63525-173-9 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63525-174-6 (Digital)

Copyright © 2016 by Rachel Truex

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

Romans

1 Corinthians

2 Corinthians

Galatians

Ephesians

Philippians

Colossians

About the Author

Introduction

The best way to describe myself is with Scripture. God’s words are so much better than mine!

The following verse describes the first twenty-nine years of my life:

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD (Proverbs 19:3).

The following verses describe when Christ was reaching out for me:

"When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.’

Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’

‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said.

‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’

Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’

‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said." (Luke 7:37-43)

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.(Luke 7:47)

(I claim Luke 7:47 as my verse.)

The following verses describe me after I was reborn into newness of life (I was baptized for the remission of my sins at twenty-nine years old):

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life

(1 Timothy 1:12–16).

The following is the summary of my life:

‘Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,’ says the LORD(Isaiah 54:1.)

First I was a stepmom (to three girls who my hubby has custody of), then I was a house mom (at a children’s home, to forty-plus kids as we hosted a different cottage’s kids each week while their regular house parents had their time off), then God blessed us with a son (when I was thirty-eight years old). Many children have been fed physically and spiritually at our tables!

Galatians 5:19-25 states, "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Before I knew Christ, my life was characterized by every one of the acts of the sinful nature at one time or another. I was living a shallow existence for my own pleasures. Now each day, I strive to live out the fruits of the Spirit that dwells in me, dying to self and striving to please God. I don’t always succeed, but I will never give up. I am hoping my story leads others to pursue God’s will and purpose for their lives. I thank Him daily for the following:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17).

You can have this newness of life, this clean slate too! It is a free gift to all who believe and act on their belief. Repent of (turn away from) your sinfulness. Get baptized into Christ, surrendering your sins, your will, and your very life to him because he already paid the price for every sin you have ever and will ever commit. Join a church that believes and preaches straight from God’s own word, the Bible. Attend faithfully, and read your Bible daily so that you can grow in knowledge and mature in your faith. Then see what amazing things God will do with a heart that seeks his will and is willing to follow the Spirit that now lives in it.

Please know that this book is composed of two things—God’s word, and prayers. My words are not some special revelation made directly to me by God (Proverbs 30:6). They are my prayers, formulated using God’s letters written to Christ followers found in the New Testament (Romans through Revelation 3). I wanted to obey Romans 12:2 and renew my mind and know what God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will is. My prayer is that others have this longing as well and that my words will help you live by God’s words. Lord willing, the next volume of this tome will be available soon.

This book was born of a desire to know how and what to pray. You cannot go wrong praying God’s word because it is perfect.

In His service,

Rachel

Romans

Romans 1:1–4

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling and setting apart believers for your service. Thank you for our Lord Jesus Christ and for the perfect life he lived during his physical time on earth. Please help us to follow your calling on our life today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:5

Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to receive grace and apostleship through the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. Please give us hearts that want to obey your calling on our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:6

And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to belong to Jesus Christ. Please help us to be different so that others can see Christ shining through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:7

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the grace and peace available to us through you. Thank you for loving us and calling us to be your holy people. May our thoughts and actions be pleasing to you today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:8

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

Heavenly Father, thank you for fellow believers the world over. Please help us to support and encourage one another in the ways that you’ve gifted each of us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:9–10

God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to serve you by being messengers of your grace. Thank you for allowing us to serve others by praying for them. Please help us to be in a continual state of prayer about the people and situations that we observe and that the Holy Spirit brings to our minds. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:11–12

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for giving us our forever family, our church family. May we be good to one another, making each other stronger by encouraging each other’s faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:13

I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

Heavenly Father, thank you for those who visit and encourage us in our faith and ministry. May we be people who produce fruit for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:14–15

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Heavenly Father, thank you for those who are eager to preach the gospel and for those who helped lead each of us to you. Please help us to feel this obligation to share your love, grace, and forgiveness with those you place in our lives today. Please prepare their hearts for repentance and ours to have a willingness to share. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the gospel, the good news that Jesus Christ, crucified for our sins, has risen from the dead! Thank you for offering salvation to all who believe. Please help us to remain steadfast in our faith and may we desire to share this good news with those who don’t know you yet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:17

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing your righteousness through the life, death, and resurrection of your Son. Please help us to grasp the gift that you’ve given us and to live by faith in you today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:18–19

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing yourself to be seen in your creation. Please help us to further your truth today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:20

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us your eternal power and divine nature through the natural world that you created. Please help us to see your handiwork in the beauty that surrounds us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:21

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us beyond our comprehension. Please help us to shine your light into this dark world. May our efforts for your Kingdom not be in vain. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:22–23

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating such an awe-inspiring world for us to live in. Please help us to always praise you, the creator of all things, rather than the created things themselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:24

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us enough to let us experience natural consequences when we choose to disobey. Please help us and others to learn from our mistakes and to seek your will for our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:25–26

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being truth and for being the creator who is worthy of our praise forever. Thank you for speaking to us through your word in a way that we cannot misunderstand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:27

In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us perfectly in your eyes. Please help us to follow your will for us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:28

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know you through your word and your creation. Please help us to retain what we learn about you so that we can make choices that lead to a full, happy, and fruitful life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:29–31

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.

Heavenly Father, thank you for warning us about people who live contrary to your will. Please help us to shine like the stars in this dark world and to live lives that draw others to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 1:32

Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know your will through your word. Please help us to be people who live what we know. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:1

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Heavenly Father, thank you for desiring us to be patient with others. Please help us to bear with one another and to help others overcome their weaknesses, knowing that we too struggle and need others to help us overcome the issues in our own lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:2

Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being just and perfect and fair and true. Please help us to live as the redeemed and loved children of yours that we are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:3

So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?

Heavenly Father, thank you for being the one truly just judge. Please help us to refrain from judgment while still proclaiming your will for our lives. Keep us free from hypocrisy and help us to speak out of love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Heavenly Father, thank you for your kindness and patience. Please help us to allow your kindness to do its work in our hearts and lead us to repentance. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:5

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

Heavenly Father, thank you for being patient with us as we learn what pleases you by studying your word. Please help us to be pliable and to change as we come to know you better. Break the hard places in our hearts and give us eyes to see your hand at work in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:6

God will repay each person according to what they have done.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for what we have done. Please help us to accept him and live to walk in his ways. Help us to see others as you see them—in need of a savior, just like we are. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:7

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to know you and know what is good by studying your word. Please help us to persist in doing good so that we may be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:8

But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us in your word how to avoid your wrath. Please help us to be other-centered people, seeing to the needs of those around us. Help us to accept truth and reject evil so that we may be pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:9–10

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance of honor and peace for those who do good. Please help us to be characterized by good works, born of a grateful heart for the sacrifice your Son made for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:11

For God does not show favoritism.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us regardless of our heritage, our past sins, and our myriad failures. Please help us to see others with your eyes, see them for who you intended them to be when you created them, and to help them know that they can live up to that potential. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:12

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Christ to be the fulfillment of the law and the only way to your presence. Please help us to see the burden of guilt the unforgiven bear and to show them the way to forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:13

For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Heavenly Father, thank you for those that you send into our lives to declare your word. Please help us to be those who obey and who proclaim the good news to others trapped in sin. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 2:14

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a conscience that helps us to innately know right from wrong. Please let the consciences of those who are lost lead them to seek to be right with you through Jesus. In His name, Amen.

Romans 2:15

They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

Heavenly Father, thank you for writing your law into our hearts so that, when we seek you, we will find you. Please help us to listen to the nudges of the Holy Spirit at work in us and to act on those promptings so that we can be your hands and feet here on