Pray the Word Challenge
The purpose of this challenge is to grow in the knowledge of who He is, and deepen your relationship with Him. Our self sufficiency is not sustainable, the way forth is led by Him alone. The path of the trail is set to His ways. The pursuit progresses by faith in Him.
The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.
Psalm 145:14
Praying the Word carries me in seasons when I do not have the words to pray, when the rugged terrain appears endless, and daily stirs my conversations with the Lord. His word is an invitation into the depths of His presence, guiding me each step of the way.
God has given us His active living Word and one of the ways we can relentlessly pursue Him is through prayer. As we seek His face, growing in the knowledge of who He is, a hunger for prayer is stirred, which both fuels and sustains. We endure and we persevere in prayer, and we encounter our active living Father each step of the way.
If you ever feel like you don’t have the words to pray, or stuck in your prayer life, this challenge is for YOU! No matter the conditions of the terrain— What if we looked at it through a lens of faith instead of unbelief? What if we plunged right into His promise? What if we put our hope in Him over the conditions? What if we rested in the knowledge that we have been set with God?
The purpose of this challenge is to grow in the knowledge of who He is, and deepen your relationship with Him. Our self sufficiency is not sustainable, the way forth is led by Him alone. The path of the trail is set to His ways. The pursuit progresses by faith in Him.
In this Pray the Word challenge we will be praying through Psalm 145 verse by verse. I will guide you through the verses we will pray through each day, and provide you with prompts to intertwine with what is pressing on your heart and God’s word.
As I was praying over this challege, the Lord laid Psalm 145 on my heart with so much intention. This psalm is a praise of David, which fits so powerfully for this specific challenge. Praying the Word gives us a heart posture that is fixed on the Lord, and Psalm 145 is a summary of all that David learned about who God is while he was faithfully following Him.
We will see in this Psalm and inside look into David’s heart and his passion to truly praise the Lord. David proclaims and reflects on the goodness of God. In this Psalm we will learn so much about who God is and what He has done. Great is the Lord!
I have trekked through many seasons of not having the words to pray and other seasons where His word led me through conversations with Him, and I can tell you this—you WILL GROW in the knowledge of who He is, your relationship with Him WILL DEEPEN, and He WILL SUSTAIN you. Get ready, He WILL MEET you here!
Trail Map
DAILY:
Use the words in the verses you are exploring as a guide to writing out a prayer, expanding your prayer with what the Hoy Spirit is leading you in.
The prompts below will serve as a tool to help guide you along as you are praying the Word. As you answer them, your words will intertwin with the verses.
What is God speaking to you as you dwell in them?
Rejoice, repent, and request what is on your heart.
As you finish writing your prayer, you will see a blend of scripture and the pressings from your heart.
READING PLAN + PROMPTS:
DAY ONE- VERSES 1-3
Tell the Lord how your heart is fully devoted to praise.
Read Psalm 99:9– Exalt His name. How is our Lord described in verse 9?
What has God done for you?
Proclaim a joyful praise.
What are you praising Him for today?
Tell the Lord how great He is.
DAY TWO- VERSES 4-7
Tell of his faithfulness.
Write down some of His wondrous works.
Meditate on a characteristic of the Lord.
How does His greatness transform your life in Him?
What about the Lord are you paying attention to?
Read Isaiah 63:7– what will you recount of the Lord specifically?
What does His steadfast love mean to you?
What is stirring praise towards Him within you?
DAY THREE- VERSES 8-9
How does the Lord being gracious and merciful transform your heart and mind?
How are you bearing Christ’s image as you see who He is in these verses?
What do you need to surrender to Him?
What are some past and present experiences of Gods greatness that you can praise?
Read Psalm 86:5. How are you calling upon the Lord today?
What do you need to ask Him for forgiveness?
DAY FOUR- VERSES 10-13
What are you thanking God for today?
Describe the glory of His eternal Kingdom.
How has His hand in your life worked?
How is His power made perfect in your weakness?
What do you need to call upon Him for today?
Read Deuteronomy 3:24– Describe His greatness and His mighty hand and how it changes everything.
How does His everlasting Kingdom propel you closer to Him?
DAY FIVE- VERSES 14-16
What does the terrain your trekking through look like?
How is the Lord upholding you in it?
Read Psalm 37:7– What are you waiting upon the Lord for? How will you wait?
Describe the kindness of God in your life.
Tell the Lord how you will draw near to Him.
Tell the Lord how you will depend on Him.
How will you follow His path, His plan, His pace?
Describe how the Lord satisfies your every need.
Read Psalm 148:8– Proclaim what He does.
DAY SIX- VERSES 17-21
Tell the Lord how His graciousness transforms your life.
What do you need to ask of the Lord today?
Describe how you cling to his nearness.
Lay down any weariness, hurts, or fears at His feet.
Tell the Lord how He fuels you and how He sustains you.
Adore Him. Tell the Lord all the ways you love Him.
Describe your need for the Lord in all circumstances.
The Lord hears you and sees you. Tell Him what this means to you.
Praise the Lord.
Let’s put our trust in the Lord, because our trust is the Lord.
Here, in Him, we are like trees planted by water where our roots stretch out to the streams.
Here, in Him, there is no room to fear when the heat comes.
There is no worry when the land is parched— the fruit continues to yield.
He is taking us to a place of complete and sustainable dependency.
LET’S PRAY THE WORD!
Nothing Can Separates Us.
“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 25:15
“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Genesis 25:15
I remember that day in the car so vividly. I was crying out to the Lord. I could feel the heavy weights this uneven ground of special needs held. I felt it for myself and for my son, Mason. It was sticky— pretty gritty at points, and I began to realize that as I became more aware of the weight, I really became even more aware of His nearness in it.
In our awareness of the weight, we see our desperate need for the Lord. Then the Lord spoke so clearly, that the tears rolled down my face. His words repeated over and over again— “ just exalt Jesus.” In every break in the ground that we might feel like we are falling through or every place, our foot might get stuck between the rocks, exalt Jesus.
Ever since that moment, I have reminded both Mason and I that it might appear to be rugged terrain, or that the weight of the disabilities are trying to overcome but really, we just need to exalt Jesus.
So we began to take His word and proclaim what we call mile marker anthems to keep us going. Mile marker anthems take a piece of scripture and break it down verse by verse creating statements that will be anthems. These anthems are what we live out as we live in Him throughout the trek. We press into the terrain because His goodness carries eternal weight. They are a way for you to tell of who He is, to dig deep into His attributes.
What our eyes are fixed on is what will lead the way forth.
What our heart is set on determines the path of the trail.
What our mind focuses on is what we will pursue.
Mile marker anthems serve as reminders to us that no matter what it is we are trekking through our God is bigger, our God is good, and our God never leaves our side.
The ground below might look like a whole lot of grit, maybe a pile of mundane, or an overwhelm of fear, heartache, or shame. The rugged places in the terrain are where we witness His goodness.
What if we looked at it through a lens of faith instead of unbelief?
What if we plunged right into His promise?
What if we put our hope in Him over the conditions?
What if we rested in the knowledge that we have been set with God?
Our faith in Him equips us, fills us, and it nourishes us.
His presence changes everything.
Perhaps right now it might be hard to see over that mountain in your life, or maybe you are in the valley waiting to make the big trek up, wherever it is He has you, can I encourage you to stand firm with Him in it? Our deep need for him is revealed in it. The way forth is led by Him alone. The path of the trail is set to His ways. The pursuit progresses by faith in Him.
As I proclaim these anthems I am reminded day after day to live by faith—my eyes only fixed on Him, my heart solely with Him, my mind relentless after Him. He is the only answer we need.
In the midst of unfamiliar surroundings approaching, etch His word in your heart—
Genesis 25:15 says, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Whatever happens in the trek furthers His eternal purpose.
Anything can make its way in— BUT God is already here.
Maybe today you find yourself in terrain that is overwhelming or anxious or maybe you really don’t know where to put your foot in the broken ground that lays in front of you, or you need to be reminded of who He is.
The valley may feel vast, the wilderness never-ending, know that He is the God who gets in the valley with you, He is the God who is your refuge in the wilderness.
This is your invitation to proclaim mile marker anthems.
His word is a tangible encounter.
His wounds are our healing.
Press into the terrain.
Grab hold of His hand in the trek.
Receive what He is producing along the way.
Nothing can separate us.
Romans 8:39
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Field Note 004
Explore the Word- Exodus 13:18
EXPLORE THE WORD
HIS WAY IS BETTER
The Word: Exodus 13:18
Theme: His way is better
Trail Map
What am I learning about WHO God is?
God knows the path ahead. Ps.107:7
God leads with purpose. Ex 14:12
God is faithful in all his ways.
God sees what we can’t and guides us in such a way that calls us to depend on Him. 1 Cor 10:13
Word or phrase that God is bringing to Light. How does it further explain the Word?-
- led —סָבַב çâbab -to turn, cause to turn, to cause to go around, surround, or to encompass. Change directions. He surrounds where He leads.
-of the wilderness- מִדְבָּר midbâr— an open field, a desert, uninhabited land. From the root word, דָבַר dâbar, which means to speak, to promise, to lead, to guide. He will surely lead us in the wilderness. The other way they could have gone had great dangers— it was where Egypt's military outposts were). Our God is present in the desolate.
How is His word transforming my heart and mind?
God's presence is always with us. His plan, path, and pace are what we can in fact rest in. Even when His way is longer or more rugged, His way is better, His way outweighs any conditions because in the midst of it we are with Him. When we go His way, we can trust that we are equipped in and through Him. He surrounds us, he cares for us, and he keeps us. Deut 32:10
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Daily Grace Co Bible Study Handbook
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Growth Book (USE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)
Field Note 003
Explore the Word- Isaiah 40:31
EXPLORE
EXPLORE THE WORD
WAITING WITH GOD
The Word: Isaiah 40:31
Theme: Wait with God
Trail Map
What am I learning about WHO God is?
God is with us in the waiting.
God satisfies us with good as we wait with him. ( Ps.103:5)
God is working in the waiting.
God brings us to him, he sets us on the course, and he walks with us.
Word or phrase that God is bringing to Light. How does it further explain the Word?-
- wait —קָוָה qâvâh- waiting (active not passive), to bind together. In the waiting not only are we bound with Him, but this binding is giving us renewed strength.
-renew- חָלַף châlaph- to show newness, to change for the better, to alter, to substitute. God gives us a fresh strength in our waiting.
How is His word transforming my heart and mind?
The waiting is not passive, it is a time to depend on Him, to unwavering in our pursuit of Him.
To mount up, an upward motion, with wings like eagles shows us the measure of the strength that comes from Him.
To run and not be weary, and to walk and not faint, shows us that God gives this renewed strength to keep going towards Him in the waiting.
What a powerful reminder of God sending his son to take our place on the cross, so that through him we would be redeemed and have eternal life.
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Daily Grace Co Bible Study Handbook
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Growth Book (USE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)
A DAILY PURSUIT
Rhythms and tools for your daily pursuit of the Lord
EXALT
RHYTHMS + TOOLS
for your time with the Lord
Our world would have us relentlessly pursue all of the things it perceives to offer us. That is not the trek we are on.
Romans 12:2 tells us,
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We do things differently around here, we are set to His pace and His path, we sit at the feet of Jesus, we exist to relentlessly pursue Jesus, seeking His face, to grow in the knowledge of who He is, stirring a hunger for His word and for prayer, which both fuel and sustain us. We endure and persevere in them. We are going to run hard after God, leaping into His fullness, and peace that surpasses all understanding- together.
What does time with the Lord look like?
What are some tools that equip and edify this pursuit?
Why is this time with Him so important?
What if I don’t know where or how to start?
Many of you have reached out asking these questions, wanting an inside look at some of the rhythms and tools that I have implemented in my daily pursuit. Before I dive in I want to preface this all by saying that our pursuit of Him will look different for each of us. We really only need a bible, and surrendered heart that desires Him. He doesn't need our time to look perfect— let’s be honest— there is no such thing.
While we are talking about this let me also remind you that this time doesn’t have to be quiet either. I think there is this misconception when we hear the tear quiet time with the Lord— but this does not have to be literal at all. For me, I do wake up around 5am and spend some time alone with the Lord, reading the Word, journaling, and praying but then I keep the conversation open with Him all throughout my day.
You know the season you are in and what your time with Him will look like, and so I suggest you pick what works best for you and your family. Maybe it will happen early in the morning before the whole house is up, or maybe your kiddo will wake early and be in your lap, or maybe at breakfast when everyone is sitting at the table too, or maybe it’s in pockets of your day when you have a few minutes. Maybe it is at the end of the day— however and whenever your time to sit down with Him is— remember He just wants you. It is important to also know that He wants to spend every moment with you, He is with you all day everyday, talk to Him all throughout your day, invite Him into all of it. He wants you to depend on Him.
No matter where you find yourself on this trail, the Lord sees you and He wants so deeply to be in relationship with you!
I pray that as I share some of these rhythms and tools that I use each day that above anything it stirs a hunger and a thirst for who God is and for His word, that truly does fuel and sustain us!
BIBLE READING PLAN
This year I am reading through the Bible chronologically following the Bible Recap plan. Each day I read the assigned reading and I am using the In Every Season Journal Set, from Well Watered Women. The journal follows the exact chronological reading plan so that as I am reading I can journal any notes, questions, and things I am learning in them. After I read and journal thought, The Bible Recap has a podcast that recaps the reading for the day— its typically under 10 minutes. They also have a printed recap version of the podcast that I use as well.
BIBLE STUDY
As I am reading through the Bible in a year, there are many times when the Lord really presses something on my heart or the Word jumps off the page— when this happens I will explore the Word further. Typically that happens later in the day or the evening for me. I do also study books of the Bible more in depth— verse by verse, in addition to the reading plan I am following. I will also go through different bible studies from The Daily Grace Co, Hosanna Revival, and Well Watered Women.
If you have been around for sometime, you will know that I use and love my Growth Book everyday for everything. The Growth Book is a journal to document all things— notes from when I explore the Word, sermons, books I am reading— you name it and I put it in my Growth Book. ( USE CODE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
PRAYER
I begin my time in the Word with a prayer that I will write out, and then I will spend a few minutes writing out a handful of gratitudes. As I read and study the Word I will take notes on who He is, promises, truths, and attributes of God. I will write them down in my prayer journals which I have linked below. I spend a lot of time using scripture to pray— I will pray the Word and write these prayers out as well. After I do this I will also pray through the different categories my prayer journals have— family, friends, the world, my church, community, personal items, salvations, heavy things, goals, marriage and so on. However my time in prayer does not end there— I have made it a practice to pray and speak with the Lord all throughout my day. Having a posture of worship and praise really fixes my eyes on Him in the moments of my day.
Find Wondrous Things Prayer Journal
Val Marie Paper Prayer Journal
** Some links are affiliate links— BUT I would only share items that I wholeheartedly use and love.**
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Daily Grace Co Bible Study Handbook
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Growth Book (USE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)
Field Note 002
Explore the Word- Isaiah 58:11
EXPLORE
EXPLORE THE WORD
SEEK GOD IN ALL THINGS
The Word: Isaiah 58:11
Theme: Seek God in all things
Trail Map
What am I learning about WHO God is?
The Lord will guide continually.
The Lord will satisfy in all circumstances. Is. 33:16
Life with God is flourishing, sustained, rebuilt, and redeemed through him alone. Is.61:11
Life with God is like a watered garden. Jer. 31:12
Word or phrase that God is bringing to Light. How does it further explain the Word?-
guide: נָחָה nâchâh- to lead, to bring forth. God brings us into the light. He leads us forth into the truth and his ways.
continually: תָּמִיד tâmîyd- to stretch, constant, continuity. He never leaves our side, he is the constant with us.
How is His word transforming my heart and mind?
God promises to guide continually, he is after our hearts.
When we are seeking Him in all things we are fully dependent on him— this unwavering faith in him leads us forth.
His joy will be our strength.
Everything shall be build upon a foundation of the Lord.
Even in a parched land, when we are in Christ, we will be like a watered garden.
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Daily Grace Co Bible Study Handbook
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Growth Book (USE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)
Field Note 001
Explore the Word- Psalm 37:3
EXPLORE
EXPLORE THE WORD
FEAST ON HIS FAITHFULNESS
The Word: PSALM 37:3
Theme: Feast on his faithfulness
Trail Map
What am I learning about WHO God is?
God is a refuge for us, He desires our hearts to trust Him. Ps.62:8
God is our help and our shield. Ps.115:9-11
God is the everlasting rock. Is.26:4
Word or phrase that God is bringing to Light. How does it further explain the Word?-
dwell: שָׁכַן shâkan— to settle down to abide. God has given the land, and is the provision in it. Lev 26:5, Prov.2:21
faithfulness- אֱמוּנָה ʼĕmûwnâh- firmness, stability, security, fulfilling promise. God provides safe pasture, feasting on His faithfulness makes way to security that can only come from Him.
How is His word transforming my heart and mind?
David remind the people of God in this Psalm, that in this land, God is their refuge, lay aside all weariness, and trust Him.
Feast on the stability, the firmness, the faithfulness that only God can provide as we settle down to abide in the land.
We have a clearer vision when we trust Him.
His faithfulness is what sustains us in the land, feast on it
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Daily Grace Co Bible Study Handbook
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Growth Book (USE JENNIFER FOR 10% OFF)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)
Field Study 001
TRUE DESTINATION—
A FIVE-WEEK EXPLORATION INDUCTIVE STUDY
THROUGH PSALM 84.
EXPLORE
TRUE DESTINATION
A FIVE-WEEK EXPLORATION INDUCTIVE STUDY THROUGH PSALM 84.
In the trek, through the wilderness, deep in the valleys, and into the desert, the only way through is to depend on God fully.
We want to forge our way closer to Him.
We seek to relentlessly pursue Him.
We hunger for a deeper understanding of His word.
We are desperate for intimate prayer time.
We crave His sustenance that fuels and sustains us.
Yet, we are faced with distractions, overwhelm, lack of time and resources, confusion, and fear.
Field Studies are a tool that will equip you, no matter the terrain you are trekking through. You will be spurred on in the knowledge of who God is, and grow in deep connection with Him. Think of this as a tool in your backpack that will guide you and teach you how to study the Word on your own, piece by piece, consistently.
Trail Map
daily discussion in stories & weekly live teaching
EACH WEEK:
FIELD NOTES (MON-TUES) - AN INDUCTIVE STUDY THROUGH THE TEXT
EXPLORE (WED-THURS) - REFECT & RESPOND TO GO DEEPER
PRAYER (FRIDAY)- PRAY THROUGH THE SCRIPTURE
READING PLAN:
WEEK ONE- VERSES 1-2
WEEK TWO- VERSES 3-4
WEEK THREE- VERSES 5-7
WEEK FOUR- VERSES 8-9
WEEK FIVE- VERSES 10-12
TOOLS
Bible of Choice
Journal/Notebook
Pens
Highlighters
** Below are the items that I use and love**
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: ESV Edition
The New Inductive Study Bible (ESV)
Uni-ball Signo Um-151 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 Mm - 10 Set (Black)