“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Scripture memorization.

I don’t know what it is about my aging brain. When I was in school, especially in college, I could memorize like nobody’s business – internalizing information relevant to my major. In my Master’s program, I was able to memorize verbatim things like law, negotiation and management.

So why is it, that now when I earnestly want to memorize Scripture, I struggle?

In the nine years since I was saved, I cannot seem to diligently memorize the very word that is transforming me. I can grasp concepts and can speak generally about the Scripture I read, but word-for-word and knowing exactly the book, chapter and verse, not quite.

It is a struggle I share because I wonder if this is something that other Christians experience and if there are things I can do to improve in this area?

I’m hopeful. I’m praying about it. I’m working harder at it.

In Bible study, our group is urged to take this particular session to a deeper level. We are encouraged to write out the entire book of James AND memorize it. I tell you, writing out the words of our God in my own handwriting is having a profound impact in my heart.

The words on the page in writing that is of my own hand is somehow making it seem more alive, more equipping, even more real. My prayer is that through writing out the book, and studying it deeper through this study, it will begin to settle into those places in my heart where I need it to rest, to live and to stay. I pray that I begin to learn those Scriptures so they can truly transform my heart.

This is something I sense God is urging me to do at this point in my life. I’m hearing it also from several other believers lately as well. It’s like God is aligning us for what is bound to be coming at us in the future. I believe the only way to truly equip ourselves for the ongoing battles we face is to know the truth in our hearts so we can use that truth as ammunition.

Do you have memorization techniques or tips? I’d love for you to share them.

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek His face always.” Psalm 105:4

Prayer.

There is so much power in that little word. 

If you’re like me, you probably don’t pray as often as you’d like, as you should or in the way you’d prefer. By that, I mean:

• I pray when I’m scared, asking God to intervene
• I pray when someone I love is sick or facing uncertainty
• I pray for blessing when there is financial crisis
• I pray when I hear about a disaster

But true prayer, the kind that can deepen my relationship with Christ, is rooted in thanksgiving and awe. It’s a dialogue in which I express my thanks, acknowledge His unmatched power, lay out my concerns or questions and then I WAIT. Wait for Him to respond or reveal. It’s where I submit my will to His, knowing His ways are better than mine, higher than mine and He knows the entire story, when I only know a small portion.

Recently, my mom faced a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. All indications were that another form of cancer had developed less than a year after she beat breast cancer. Honestly, we were devastated by the possibility. But, that’s all it was, a possibility.

So, instead of panicking and thinking the worst, I took a different approach. Reaching out to every praying friend I know, we all began to speak words of truth instead of words of doubt. Rather than focus on the “what if’s” of the situation, we prayed prayers first of thanksgiving, then laid out our concerns and then waited. 

God answered!

His answer in this case was in line with our petition. Mom’s diagnosis was completely treatable and non-life threatening. Praise God!!

But the most amazing part of it all was the peace I felt the day she was getting her results. Before her appointment, I was praying and speaking Scripture over the situation. I felt His presence with me. I knew He was there, holding me up and breathing peace into my heart. THAT was a breakthrough in my prayer life!

I don’t know why God answered our prayers the way He did – sparing my mom this diagnosis. I know that many other times, the response is not what we hope and pray for and we lose loved ones. I can only humbly thank Him for this gift and trust in His sovereign plan. Because even if the news here on Earth is bad, the news in Heaven will always be good.