When I face challenges in life, my first instinct is often to praise God in confidence that He will deliver me. Praise is powerful—it lifts my eyes and steadies my heart. But recently, I came across a line from Watchman Nee that made me pause: “Whenever something confronts you, you must ask Him to give you a word.” I realized that while I trust God’s goodness, I don’t always ask God for a word—a specific word from Scripture to anchor my faith and guide my prayers. What does it mean to do that? How do we receive such a word, and how can it help us break through seemingly immovable problems? This post explores those questions.
Watchman Nee’s Commentary
“So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17
Watchman Nee writes:
“When you have problems with your home, school, business or personal needs, your prayers will be in vain if you do not believe God’s word. You have not, because you pray not. You pray and still have not, because you do not believe in God’s word (cf. James 4.2, 3). It is a waste of time to pray without believing in the word of God. In order to receive God’s grace, one thing which is so necessary is to lay hold of His word. You believe and God performs. Whenever something confronts you, you must ask Him to give you a word. And then with His word, you shall be able to break through any problem whatsoever. To have God’s word in such a manner is to possess the sword of the Spirit. Almost all the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6 is for defensive purposes; only the sword of the Holy Spirit, “which is the word of God,” is for offensive use. Having God’s word, you can overthrow every obstacle and solve all problems.”
What Does It Mean to “Ask God for a Word”?
The idea of actively asking God for a word goes beyond general faith and praise—it’s about seeking specific guidance, illumination, or a promise from Scripture that addresses your exact situation. It’s spiritual strategy, not just spiritual sentiment. And it can transform the way we engage with trials.
Romans 10:17 says clearly: “Belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Faith does not arise in a vacuum. It is not positive thinking or vague hope. Real faith comes from hearing God speak, whether through the living Word (Jesus), the written Word (Scripture), or a spoken word of conviction from the Holy Spirit.
Watchman Nee emphasizes that prayer alone, apart from God’s word, is ineffective. He echoes James 4:2–3: “You have not because you ask not…you ask and do not receive because you ask amiss.” If we are praying without being anchored in what God has actually said, we’re swinging our sword in the dark.
Instead, we are to ask God for a word, and from that word, faith will rise. And with that faith, the breakthrough will come.
How to Ask God for a Word
This practice can feel mysterious at first, but it becomes more natural the more we train our ears to hear. Here are some simple ways to begin:
- Pause and ask intentionally: When confronted with a problem—financial, relational, spiritual—stop and ask: “Lord, will You give me a word for this situation?”
- Open Scripture expectantly: God speaks primarily through His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight a verse, story, or promise that applies. This isn’t flipping through the Bible randomly, but meditating prayerfully with attention.
- Pay attention to repeated themes: Sometimes God confirms a word through repetition—a verse showing up in multiple places, a song lyric, a sermon, or something someone says to you out of the blue.
- Write it down: When you sense a verse or promise rise up in your spirit, write it down. Declare it. Stand on it. That is your sword.
- Use the word in prayer and action: Once you receive the word, pray it back to God. Declare it when doubt comes. Make decisions in light of it.
Real Life Examples of This Practice
A friend recently shared that he had been feeling overwhelmed by a health scare in the family. He had praised God and trusted His goodness—but he still felt anxious. So he quieted himself and asked, “Lord, give me a word.” Over the next few days, he kept encountering Psalm 91: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” That verse anchored his faith. He began declaring it daily. And sure enough, peace replaced panic. Over time, the situation, slowly but surely, resolved.
Another friend was unsure whether to take a risky career step. Instead of relying on pros and cons, he asked God for a word. He kept returning to Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” That word gave him courage to move forward in confidence—and that decision led to fruitfulness beyond what he imagined.
These aren’t magic tricks or emotional coping mechanisms. They are the sword of the Spirit in action—the word of God, spoken into the battlefield of life.
Taking the Sword into Your Battle
Watchman Nee’s insight is both challenging and empowering: If we want to see breakthroughs, we must go beyond vague belief and ask God for a word. That word becomes our offensive weapon. It’s how Jesus fought in the wilderness—“It is written…”
When the devil tempts us, when circumstances close in, when anxiety roars—what has God said? That is our sword.
So the next time a problem confronts us, we shouldn\’t just praise the Lord. Nor should we only pray. Rather, we should do as Watchman Nee exhorts: Ask God for a word. Seek it. Wait for it. Stand on it. And then fight with it.
Call to Action: Practice Asking God for a Word
Are you facing a challenge right now—financial stress, uncertainty about the future, a health concern? Don’t just push through. Pause and ask God for a word.
Open your Bible. Wait in prayer. Write down what you sense. Then hold fast to it.
And if this post helped you, share it with someone who needs a breakthrough. Let us become people who don’t just pray, but pray with the Word of Christ in our mouths and hearts.
About Raleigh Acupuncture
At Raleigh Acupuncture Associates, we are deeply committed to providing the highest quality professional acupuncture while being rooted in strong Judeo-Christian values of love, faith, kindness, and truth. We guide our practice with compassionate care, where each patient is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background, faith, or beliefs. We welcome people from all walks of life and strive to create a warm, inclusive environment promoting healing and holistic wellness. Our dedication to delivering exceptional acupuncture is paired with a genuine love for helping others, making our clinic a place where faith and professional medical care come together for the well-being of every patient.
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