Praying God's Word

The psalmist's secret: praying Scripture aligns your heart with God's unchanging promise

Psalm 71:1–2 (NKJV®)

"In You, O LORD, I put my trust; Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; Incline Your ear to me, and save me."

The most powerful prayers are often those that echo the very words of God back to Him.

We don't know who wrote Psalm 71, but we do know something significant: the author prayed Scripture. This psalmist quoted directly from Psalm 31, written by David:

"In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily" (Psalm 31:1–2, NKJV®).

This wasn't coincidence or plagiarism—it was intentional, Spirit-led prayer rooted in God's unchanging Word.

Throughout Scripture, we see writers quoting and building upon earlier biblical texts. When one Spirit-led author refers to another's work, it serves as a powerful reminder:

The Word of God is unchanging and trustworthy.

God's promises don't expire. His character doesn't shift. His truth remains constant across generations. What was true for David was true for the author of Psalm 71. And what was true for them is still true for us today.

This is why praying Scripture is so powerful. When we pray God's Word:

We align our hearts with His will and His purposes

We stand on promises that cannot fail

We speak with authority that comes from His truth

We pray with confidence that He hears and answers

The author of Psalm 71 didn't feel the need to invent new words when David's prayer perfectly expressed what was needed. If it was good enough for this Spirit-led writer, it's good enough for us.

This week, I encourage you to do what this psalmist did: pray the Word of God over your own life. Let Scripture shape your prayers. Let God's promises become your petitions. Let His truth guide your requests.

When we pray God's Word, we're not just speaking about God—we're speaking with God, using the very language He's given us.

Read more: Take time this week to read Psalm 71 slowly, verse by verse. Notice how the psalmist weaves trust, deliverance, and praise throughout the prayer. Make it your own.