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“These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.”

—1 Corinthians 2:10

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This week I want to offer a simple framework for prayer.

A friend of mine, who’s been following Christ for decades, mentioned he’s started regularly praying through a couple of verses and is experiencing a heightened sensitivity to the presence of God and the Spirit’s leading. Let me share the passage and a few thoughts on why I think he’s onto something.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,
the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

Isaiah 11:2-3 ESV

When we come to God in prayer, there’s a constant temptation to make whatever we’re praying about—our needs, our concerns, our desires—bigger than God. Our greatest request tends to become the center of our prayer, casting everything else, including God, into its shadow.

There’s a reason why Jesus tells us to begin our prayers by meditating on and declaring God’s holiness and the authority of His kingdom and will: “Hallowed be your name.” Arranging our prayers under the banner of God’s holiness positions us to receive whatever wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, and knowledge we’ll need for the day.

Response

This week, I want to challenge you to write out or print Isaiah 11:2–3, fold up the paper, and place it in your pocket. (You could put them in a note on your phone, but I’d prefer to leave the phone alone.) When you feel anxious or ill-equipped this week, pull out the paper and pray through these words, receiving them as your own. Take a few deep breaths as you ask the One who searches and knows all things to guide you forward.

Closing Thoughts

Take another look at the double emphasis on the fear of the Lord (the last two lines from the passage). We don’t usually associate delight with fear, but Isaiah is inviting us into the mystery of godly fear. The fear of God delivers us from the anxiety that comes with believing we are God and draws us into the unfolding wonder of God’s wisdom, love, and holiness, helping us see how the Spirit is always with us, leading us onward “to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Praying with you,

Addison

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