A few weeks ago it crossed my mind how necessary it is to rely on the Word of God. That probably seems like I'm stating the obvious, but I feel like it's so easily forgotten. Even when we are in prayer, I think it's important that we not just simply remember but speak scripture.

In prayer, it's important to know the Word. How can we tell the enemy where to go and just how fast to get there if we don't know our power in Christ through His Word?

In Matthew 4:1-11, we find the Temptation of Jesus. He went out into the wilderness alone and fasted for 40 days and nights, enduring (and triumphing over) temptation from Satan. In reading the passage recently, I thought it interesting that Jesus' only defense was Scripture. There are half a dozen other things He could've done to get the enemy off his back, but He only used the Word.

When we are in prayer, and in all aspects of our day-to-day lives, we have to remember the weapons we have. Ephesians 6:17 tells us that our Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. A sword doesn't help you in a battle if it's lying down in a corner somewhere. It can only protect you if you've got it in your hand and you've had some practice with it. You have to know how to use it. (Remember, the enemy certainly knows how. He tried to use Scripture against the Lord when he was in the wilderness.)

Hosea 4:6: "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Without knowing the Word and "hiding it in your heart," as Psalm 119:11 says, we make life a lot more difficult than it needs to be, losing before the fight really begins. We have a wonderful Father and a dedicated intercessor who fight on our behalf, but He needs us to fight too, and He has given us the tools to do just that.

I always feel like it adds a backbone of steel to our prayers when we can recite the promises of God. Saying "Lord I need you" feels a lot different when I can say "Lord YOUR Word say that You will never leave nor forsake me and that You will give your angels charge over me to keep me in all my ways." Obviously, our God has no limitations and isn't slow in any way, so He can hear and respond to both. But let me tell you, the power in knowing His promises and not-too-gently reminding the enemy that you know them as well, is unbeatable.

If you haven't already, I challenge you to get intimate with God through His Word and find your Christ-ordained power.

Shari Grant is a Registered Nurse in South Florida, where she was raised in a (very!) Jamaican home. Some of the loves of her life are words (both reading and writing them) and missions work. She enjoys spending time with friends and family while living for a good laugh - one that makes her belly ache and her eyes water. Her bottom line goal in life is to make the Lord smile and maybe even serve Him up a chuckle from time to time, too.