The Biblical Prayer for When You are not so Inclined to Read the Bible
It is the devil’s work to keep you away from the Bible. He knows that one’s salvation is revealed there (Jn 5:39). The natural man is easy prey, for the one who prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). The natural, unregenerate man has no interest in the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14). Without God’s Word and God’s Spirit to give life to one’s soul (Jn 6:63), people remain enslaved to sin (Jn 8:34; Rom 6:6, 16–20), being spiritually dead (Eph 2:1–3).
If God the Father is drawing a person to Christ the Son (Jn 6:44, 65), He will send a preacher (Rom 10:15). The preacher will be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31), and the content of his preaching will be the Word of God (Lk 4:18, 43; Rom 10:17; 1 Pet 1:12). When the Spirit and the Word translate from the preacher to the hearer, there is an effectual call to come to Jesus Christ for eternal life (Mt 11:28; 1 Tim 6:12; 2 Pet 1:3). The Spirit and the Word take up residence in the hearer’s heart and the seed of the Word infuses new life (Jn 6:63; 2 Cor 3:6; 5:17; Jas 1:21), by the causation of God the Spirit (1 Cor 1:30; 1 Pet 1:3).
As a new creature (2 Cor 5:17), in union with Christ (Gal 2:20; 1 Jn 4:13) — the first fruit of the new creation (1 Cor 15:23) — new desires manifest in the new believer (Rom 6:4). As the new, spiritual life takes root, a spiritual hunger and thirst become evident (Mt 5:6). The life of God in the soul of His adopted children is vibrant (Jn 10:10; Rom 8:15, 23), like the springtime burst of flowers. The enemy takes note of his loss, and he seeks to destroy the new witness to God’s goodness and grace (Acts 1:8). An internal war ensues within the Christian (Rom 7).
The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh (Gal 5:17). Whereas the unregenerate unbeliever is void of the Spirit and carries out the desire of the flesh, the Christian has an internal conflict. The Spirit is willing to revisit the Bible morning and night, but the flesh is weak (Mt 26:41). The flesh lusts after Satan’s deceptions in the world, the things of the world, and tempts one to pride in the process (1 Jn 2:15–17).
The Christian must pray, and his prayer is found in Psalm 119:33–40. From a position of weakness, David makes his request known to God, “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Thy statutes (v. 33). In this longest of Psalms, his request for tutelage is repeated ten times. He recognizes the correlation between his education in God’s Word and his obedience to God (v. 34). This should be our heart’s desire, too. Not feeling it? Pray!
David has learned that the Bible lesson is not sufficient in itself. Knowledge seeks the wisdom to apply it to one’s life, “Make me walk in the path of Thy commandments (v. 35).” Being on the straight path of Christ’s righteousness is the Christian’s delight (v. 35b), but how easily we deviate from the narrow way (Mt 7:13–14). The demand is not for mere enablement or empowerment, but it is an earnest, “Make me.” It is the believer’s daily lament to find herself lost, again. Only God can find her, and set her feet upon the rock, again (Ps 40:2).
The heart is so easily swayed by the deceitfulness of riches (Mk 4:19). Greed is idolatry (Col 3:5), and the quest for gains in wealth and possessions can occupy the heart (v. 36). The tempted one turns to pray, “Incline my heart to Thy testimonies (v. 36a).” We must have a heart for God, or ours will wickedly deceive us toward the world’s promise of prosperity and security in materialism (Jer 17:9).
Looking at the fading glory, of the things of the world, dims the light within us. Vanity of vanities is everything but Jesus Christ (Eccl 1:2). He Himself is the light of life, and we walk in the light of His way (Neh 9:12, 19; Prv 6:23; Acts 26:13). Seeing Jesus revives us to His way (v. 37). Keeping your eyes on Jesus is keeping your eyes upon His Word, illumined by His Spirit (Jn 6:63; 1 Cor 2:13; Heb 12:2).
If God’s people were made to worship and enjoy God, then we must be established in His Word (v. 38). Muslims refer to Christians as, “people of the Book.” Are you one who exemplifies a love in your heart for the Word of truth? It is this Word that makes us worshipers in truth and Spirit (Jn 4:23). These always go together. It is the Word that teaches us acceptable worship of God, and it is the Spirit, who helps us to revere Christ above every other name that is named (Ps 148:13; Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9).
God’s Spirit and Word are mighty to bring reproach to sinners and children in need of chastening. Nothing sinks the saint like a disapproving Word from her Father. The convicted cry, “Turn away my reproach which I dread (v. 39).” The Law of God is good, right, spiritual, and holy. It is good to have reproof, even if it stings for the moment. It is for our good (Rom 8:28).
Whereas the sons of disobedience despise the ordinances of God (Eph 2:2; 5:3–7), the sons of light learn to love and even long for His precepts (v. 40). Christ is the Lord, our righteousness (Jer 23:6; 33:16). Christian, you have been positioned “in Christ,” who alone has right standing before God (1 Cor 1:30). Remember who you are (1 Pet 2:9; 1 Jn 3:1), who you belong to (1 Cor 3:23), and the foundation on which you stand justified (Rom 3:28; 5:1). It is God’s Word that reminds you of the exceeding riches of His grace toward you.
Nothing lifts the Christian’s spirit like an answer to the prayer, “Revive me through Thy righteousness (v. 40).” Brethren, please pray for God to revive your devotion to His written Word. Use these verses in Psalm 119:33–40, to remind you of your utter dependence upon God for a holy life, as a child of God.
Your claim of dependence on God, as heard in your confessional prayer for help in spiritual weakness, is the humility that entertains glorious grace, in times of need. As long as you dwell in your body of death (Rom 7:24; 2 Cor 4:16), you remain in need. He is Yahweh-Ebenezer, a ready help for you. Just pray Psalm 119:33–40…
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law
And keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain.
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
As that which produces reverence for You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me through Your righteousness.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
July 8, 2022
