As soon as I opened my Bible I felt the oppression come. There was definitely something that did not want me to be in the Word. At the time, I did not know what it was, but I now know that because of the doors that had been opened to the enemy (the devil) in my past, the enemy was now trying to keep me out of the Word.
The enemy knows how powerful the Word of God is, and that if we decide to be in it and to live our lives by it that we will become strong workmen for God (See Joshua 1:8 and 2 Tim 2:15). What better way to keep God’s kingdom from growing than to try and keep His people out of the Word of God (See Hosea 4:6).
I struggled with being in the Word for some time, until I confided in a friend from church who understood what was happening.
She immediately prayed over my mind and asked God to help me understand the Word when I read it. She asked for freedom and deliverance for me.
And our God is faithful. He answered that prayer.
If you struggle with reading the word of God, there are a few things you can do.
- Pray over your mind– An example you can pray is this:
In Jesus mighty name, I plead the blood of Jesus over my mind and I break all ungodly strongholds over my mind now. Father God, I pray according to Psalm 119:34 that you would give me understanding that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart. I declare that my mind is filled with God’s word and I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16). In Jesus name, Amen.
- Read Daily– The one thing the enemy will hit you with when you try to do anything for God is discouragement. Discouragement is meant to cause you to give up and give in, to sit down and not go on. If there is only one thing you take from this article, it is Do Not Give Up!
That is exactly what the enemy wants you to do.
Read daily, when you feel like and when you don’t, when it makes sense and when it doesn’t.
Make a quality decision to be in the Word.
- Memorize – The word works in us. When you memorize scripture, it puts it deep into your heart. This will strengthen you and help you to stand strong. I’ve written before on how to memorize scripture, and I believe strongly that it is something so powerful in any believer’s life.
The word of God is Powerful. It says in 2 Tim 3:16 that it is good for teaching, training, rebuking and correcting in righteousness. Hebrews 4:12 says it is living and active and Isaiah 55:11 says that God’s word will not return to Him void, but will succeed in that which He sent it to do.
All of this to say, God’s work works in us!
In His love,
Carolyn
© Carolyn Rice 2018
Lord, I’m Broken is available on Amazon, christianbook.com, Barnes and Noble and wherever books are sold online.
So good, so true, so practical.
Thank you!
Just this past Sunday morning I told my congregation that it is essential that we all be reading our Bibles, so I encouraged that we start reading it together. Pray for me (us), because God will truly bless us if we do this, but the enemy will do all he can to stop it.
I am praying. God bless you and your congregation. ~Carolyn
Thank you–I needed to hear this!