Tuesday, February 2, 2021

An Introduction to Praying Through Scripture

Take Inspiration from Other Christians

There are many reasons why and ways in which the saints have prayed their way through Scripture over the years. This type of praying is a new concept to me that I’ve begun to practice in recent years. Two wonderful women I consider to be prayer warriors introduced me to this practice when I confessed to them that my prayer life was lacking. They took me under their wing and provided me with various amounts of resources and taught me through example. I’m not sure how much what I do resembles what they’ve taught me, but they’ve at least inspired me to commit to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

 

Take the Time to Enter into Deep Conversation with God

This type of praying is not something I practice on a daily basis, but something to bring me to God on a deeper level. I’ll compare it to texting a friend all day short blurbs versus sitting down with them over coffee. We can chat all day every day, but a specific meeting time and place gives us the chance to slow down and talk on a much deeper level.


Communication with the Lord is good and wonderful any time. Sometimes I only send up short bits of gratitude or pleas for help getting through a current stress. Random thoughts for others fill my head, and I send them straight up to God. My prayers are mostly short and to the point, much like a text message.

 

However, when I get to spend time with Him in His Word and then apply it to my life using the Word as a guided prayer, it’s just like that coffee date with a friend. I have to slow down and talk on a much deeper level. I’m left full and reminded I have a place in His kingdom.

 

I’m also reminded of all the ways I need to repent or the areas in which I need to grow deeper roots. The Bible is full of any emotion I could ever feel and helps me express that. The Bible is full of ways and reasons to worship our Creator when I’m at a loss for words. The Bible is full of flawed characters that remind me I am one step away from the same flaw, but also one step away from receiving grace.

 

The Bible is full of wisdom that I need for any situation with which I’m presented. Using the Scripture to guide me through my prayers gives me the anchor I need to slow my thoughts down enough to seek and hear what the Lord has in mind for me.

 

Don’t Skip Over Passages

This practice has been such a gift to me. I’m hoping you can start too! All Scripture is useful to us, and I believe it will be useful when we apply it to our lives through prayer. I’m going to go so far as to say that even praying over the genealogy lists in the Bible or those “boring” Levitical passages are important and can be a useful practice.

 

Make It Personal

I’ll leave some examples for you, but obviously, prayer is something private and should be done according to your personality and circumstances. There’s no right or wrong to praying this way. The important part is taking the time to slow down and talk to God. Have the coffee date. Let the Lord inspire you and lead you into your own Scriptural praying. See where He takes you; let Him reveal to you how to pray through His Word.

 

Examples

Here’s an “easy” example from one of the prophets: 

 

Isaiah 64:8 - “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

 

Lord, I come to You as a daughter. I need Your guidance. Teach me everything I need to know, so I fulfill everything You want me to be. Mold me into Your will. I’m Yours! 

 

 

Genealogy example based on Matthew 1:1-17:

 

Lord, thank You that from the beginning of time, You had a plan to make it right. You made a way for Your Son to be here. Thank You for the reminder that the people You used to get Jesus here to save us also needed saved.

 

You used flawed people to do Your will. You used adopted people to complete Your will. I’m reminded that if they were valued in Your kingdom to accomplish Your plan, You can use me to! Keep me humble and remind me Your plans take time. I may never see the end result. I won’t see what my legacy of obedience to You will result in, but You will! Help me be okay with that and keep me satisfied with the work You have given me. Thank You for covering my flaws with Your Son. 

 

 

Finally, an example from the Law:

 

Leviticus 5:1-6 – “‘If anyone sins because they do not speak up when they hear a public charge to testify regarding something they have seen or learned about, they will be held responsible. If anyone becomes aware that they are guilty—if they unwittingly touch anything ceremonially unclean (whether the carcass of an unclean animal, wild or domestic, or of any unclean creature that moves along the ground) and they are unaware that they have become unclean, but then they come to realize their guilt; or if they touch human uncleanness (anything that would make them unclean) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt; or if anyone thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil (in any matter one might carelessly swear about) even though they are unaware of it, but then they learn of it and realize their guilt— when anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned. As a penalty for the sin they have committed, they must bring to the Lord a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for them for their sin.”

 

Lord, on a daily basis I come into contact with sin. I’m so absorbed throughout the day in things other than You, sin is still so natural and easy for me. Point out all of my uncleanliness so that I may know to sacrifice my time in repentance, growth, and praise. Guard my mouth and help me hear sinful things that come out of it so I realize and change my ways. I want to use my words to glorify You, to help others and not to sin.

 

Remind me I can’t make promises. You are the only true promise keeper. I do not want to take Your name in vain by not keeping my word. Thank you that, because of the ultimate sacrifice, I can be forgiven of all the things I know I do and all the things I am still unaware of. Thank You for making a way for me to be close to Your Holiness.

 

 

I’ll continue to post my written prayers responding to the Scripture and hope that you’ll be inspired to pray in the same way! Leave a comment telling me about your practice. It may be beneficial for others to read too 😊

 

 

 

2 comments:

  1. wow!! thank you, i am encouraged because this is what i strive to do each time I pray.

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    1. Thank you! May I Am bless your time in prayer and study.

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