A MONTH OF PRAYING THE WORD: Day 8

Good day, friends. We have been at this journey a week now. Can you believe it? I do not know about you, but time is flying and I am starting to wish we had a lot more time than what we have. Therefore, it's important for us to maximize what we get out of "A MONTH OF PRAYING IN THE WORD" study. After all, what we learn here we can apply no matter what. We can do other Bible studies and still be doing this for the rest of our lives. In fact, we can repeat this book every month for the rest of our lives.

Consequently, we need to get to some of the deeper stuff now. We want to make sure we get the most out of this and do not get bored. We also need to see the relevance and learn what the Bible has to say about this.

Let's take a look at Romans 12:2. 

ROMANS 12:2 AND THE PULLING AND ENTRAPMENT OF THE WORLD

~*~ Please take a look at it in your Bible and write a summary in your own words of what it says. 

The world tends to grab hold of us and influence our lives, doesn't it? What gets me is how it does so when we do not even realize it has a hold of us. It fights dirty and gets our eyes off of what is really important and what really matters. The world, and everything in it, steals our attention and affections. 

~*~ Write your thoughts in your journal about the world and how it tends to snag you. (Need I mention distractions, busyness, doubt, depression, finances, shopping, people, ideas, customs, etc.?)

This is why we are told in Romans 12:2 not to allow the world to shape or conform us. We are to overcome it. But, how? What does that look like? Romans 12:2 provides us with the answer. 

We are to think differently and have our minds and thoughts renewed. What does renewed mean? It means an entire change of mind. It means changing the way we think. 

~*~ Write your thoughts about the changing of your thought patterns.

HOW DO WE CHANGE OUR THOUGHTS?

I do not know about you, but some thoughts pop into my mind and consume me. I get obsessed about something--rather silly and pointless. Or, doubt starts to creep in about something or someone. And, of course the doubt is not founded at all. The enemy knows which buttons to push. I get reminded of tough times in the past and they can play with my mind. Or, I worry. I fret. I stress about deadlines. 

Ugh. So, you see, my mind can be very undisciplined at times. I lose my self-control and need to regroup. 

What we are learning from this book is the answer for overcoming the effects of this world. We replace our thoughts with Scripture. In other words, we pray the Word. If we pray the Word, and do so 16+ hours a day, we do not have time for the worldly stuff to consume us. And, if it threatens to get in our minds again, we can combat it with--you guessed it--with praying the Word.

Can you think of anything better for us to think than the Word of God, the Holy Bible? 

~*~ Please write your thoughts now.

~*~ What has God said to you? What is he saying to you?

~*~ What are you saying to God?

It's that easy.

Now, do you see why we worked on planning yesterday? Do you see why I've given you in APPENDIX A a month of Scripture and Praying the Word Outline? 

~*~ How can you change your thoughts and renew your mind with Praying the Word? Make an action plan to overcome the impact of this world on your life and in your mind. 

DAY 4 FROM THE OUTLINE

Do Day 4 from the outline of Praying the Word in APPENDIX A for the next 24 hours, please. Add Romans 12:2 to it as well. Also, make sure to journal and listen to the Lord and his promptings. 

*** By the way, I will most likely write at least one additional (if not more) book each year on Praying the Word, along with the 365-Day book.

Stacy Duplease
Bible Study Writer & Blogger
A Loyal Faith
Find my books at/store: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction