Rachel’s story on praying According to God’s Word
It was just after midnight when Rachel knelt beside her bed, Bible open, heart heavy. Tears streamed down her cheeks, again.
- She had prayed for months—for her son David, who had walked away from the faith.
- She had prayed in desperation, in silence, even with fasting, and with friends.
- Yet, nothing had changed.
Heaven felt silent.
- “Father,” she whispered, “are You even listening?”
- She opened her Bible, weary, and her eyes fell on a verse she’d read many times before:
1 John 5:14-15 — “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us…”
- She paused. According to His will.
- Her heart stirred.https://www.johnkodiyil.com/post/?p=9029&preview=true
- Maybe that was the part she’d missed—not just praying more, but asking right.
With trembling hands, she turned pages.
Romans 10:17 — “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
- She still heard nothing, so she sat in the stillness.
Have you ever prayed and felt like heaven was silent?
- Maybe you’ve wondered, Why didn’t God answer?
- Was I asking wrong?
- Did He even hear me?
Greatest trial of our faith is when we don’t know, when we’re not sure
- We think we know what is going on, that we are doing right, even by God
- That’s the whole point of God questioning Job
Job 1:21 NKJV The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
- The Lord did not steal kill and destroy
2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
We grow from strength to strength, faith to faith.
Job 38:4 NKJV “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.
- Greatest trial of our faith, when we don’t understand.
- It is not that God does not hear.
- We’re given a choice.
- Tree of life vs the knowledge of good and evil.
- A choice to believe in the goodness of God
- I don’t understand, but I trust you and your word
- Walk by faith, fight the good fight of faith and say that in all my ways I trust you
Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”
The word “dwell” means to make a home, to take up permanent residence.
- We often let the Word visit—on Sunday mornings, in a devotional here or there.
- But Paul is saying, Let the Word move in. Let it shape your thoughts, your emotions, your prayers.
- Renew your mind.
- He who dwells in the secret place
- And notice: “in you”—not just around you or among your church family—but in you; your heart.
- My sheep hear my voice
John 10:27 NKJV My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Effective prayer happens when we ask according to God’s Word.
- Let us make this petition together
“Father, we come today with open hearts. Let Your Word dwell richly in us and shape the way we pray. Teach us not only to pray more, but to pray according to Your will. Let Your promises become our petitions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Rachel began a journey—not of begging God to move, but of searching His Word for what He had already promised. One morning, she read:
Isaiah 30:21 — “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it…’”
- She whispered, “Lord, guide me.”
- Later that week, she realized that every promise in Scripture reveals something of God’s will.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV) “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen…”
- God never promises what He doesn’t intend to perform.
2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV) “…exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature…”
So when you find a promise that speaks to your situation,
- you are not begging God to change His mind
- you are aligning with what God already wants to do.
When we pray the Word:
- We align with God’s heart.
- We stand on what is already true.
- We pray with confidence, not uncertainty.
Suddenly, the Bible was not just a book for Rachel.
- It was a lifeline.
- A voice.
- A promise.
She stopped asking, “Why haven’t You answered?” and started praying, “Lord, You said it. Please do it.”
- Then she prayed, not out of frustration, but in surrender to the promises in God’s Word:
- When she prayed now, it sounded different:
“Father, You said that Your Word won’t return void (Isaiah 55:11).
You said that You are near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18).
You said that You would contend with those who contend with me, and that You would save my children (Isaiah 49:25).
- Lord, You said it. Please do it.”
And though David hadn’t come home yet, Rachel was no longer shaken.
- Because she was no longer guessing God’s will—she was aligning with it.
She let the Word of Christ dwell in her richly (Colossians 3:16),
- not just visit on Sunday.
- She memorized promises.
- She prayed them back to God.
- Her prayers weren’t wishful anymore—they were rooted in truth.
There were still moments of silence. But now she understood:
- It is not that God doesn’t hear.
- It’s not that I’ve prayed wrong.
It is that this tribulation, hardship, will produce perseverance,
- Build character; and
- Give hope.
That Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5
Rachel remembered Job’s story. She didn’t understand everything, but like David, she learned to strengthen herself in the Lord, her God.
- Peace that surpasses understanding. Phil 4:4-7
- “I walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
- Fight the good fight of Faith. 1 Timothy 6:12
The greatest trial of her faith became the greatest transformation of her prayers.
How to Pray According to God’s Word
Be led by the Holy Spirit.
- Ask Him to direct you to specific Scriptures. He will.
Search the Word.
- Find promises that speak to your situation—healing, peace, salvation, wisdom.
Claim the promise.
- Don’t hope—believe. Say: “Lord, You said it. I believe You.”
Pray with the right motive.
- Not for personal comfort, but for God’s glory.
Trust the power of God’s Word.
- “It shall accomplish what I please…” (Isaiah 55:11)
One day, Rachel got a call from David.
- “Mom,” he said softly, “I’ve been thinking a lot lately… about God.”
Tears welled up.
- It wasn’t a mystery. It wasn’t formula. It was faith.
Why? Because Faith comes by hearing by the word of God
- if the Word isn’t in you, it can’t come out in your prayer life.
- You cannot pray according to what you do not know.
- God cannot be real – David strengthened himself, his God.
- So read your Bible.
When we pray according to God’s Word, we pray His will, in His way, for His glory.
- “Lord, thank You for Your precious Word.
- Thank You that Your promises are not empty—they are Yes and Amen.
- Teach us to pray boldly, wisely, and in step with Your will.
- Help us to search Your Word, stand on Your truth, and say with confidence:
‘Lord, You said it. Please do it.’ - In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.”
Lord, You Said It
Rachel knelt beside her bed after midnight, Bible open, heart breaking.
Her son David had walked away from God, and despite months of desperate prayers, silence remained.
“Father,” she whispered through tears, “are You even listening?”
Her eyes fell on a verse:
“If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
That night, something in the way she prays changed.
Maybe prayer wasn’t about begging God to move, but aligning with what He already promised.
Rachel began searching the Bible.
“Faith comes by hearing… the word of God.”
She prayed differently now:
“Lord, You said Your Word won’t return void.
You said You’re near the brokenhearted.
You said You’ll save my children.
Lord, You said it.
Please do it.”
† Peace replaced panic.
† Hope replaced fear.
† Faith replaced striving.
Then, one day, David called.
“Mom… I’ve been thinking about God.”
Rachel wept because of the promises of God in the Bible had come to pass.
She had learned to pray not just more—but rightly.
“Lord, You said it.
I believe You.”
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NKJV For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.