There are so many ways to pray. You can pray what’s known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” You can use table graces and heartfelt, meaningful prayers of the saints who have gone before us. You can pray what the Spirit brings to mind; groan when you are at a loss for words.
And you can use God’s word—Scripture—to reach the heart of God.
What’s so special about using Scripture to pray?
Making a habit of using Scripture to pray has many advantages. Here’s a list of the major things that come to mind.
Praying Scripture:
- Reduces anxiety.
- Helps you focus and hone in on specific needs and problems.
- Molds your thoughts and guides your conversations.
- Gives you the tools to pray more specifically and with a holy focus.
- Allows you to pray more effectively in God’s language.
- Can draw you closer to the heart of God and sooth your soul when you personalize His word.
- Can give rest to your soul.
- Gives you the opportunity to be steeped in it. And that has a profound effect on how you respond to life’s circumstances—good or bad.
A Scripture-Praying Case Study—
It invigorates me to use Scripture to pray specifically for my family, friends, church and myself. It seems to add power to my praying. But I haven’t always prayed that way.
I remember the first time my family and I used personalized Scripture praying. It was an eye-opening experience.
We were home schooling our two boys and gathering together nightly for family worship time. A time where we sang worship songs, chatted, read a Bible lesson and prayed together.
One night I selected some verses—I think from Psalms or Proverbs—and had each of the four of us use these verses to pray specifically, inserting our names into the passage where a name could be inserted.
When we finished praying aloud, we lifted our heads, looked at one another and let out a collective “Wow!” Each of us agreed it was powerful. Hearing our own voices and the voices of others speak Scripture directed to ourselves made a deep impression.
Ever since that experience so many years ago, I’ve tried to pray Scripture for my husband, my sons, my daughter-in-law (who joined our family in 2016), friends and other family, and myself.
Example of praying the Scriptures:
There are so many Scriptures I could use as examples, but a couple of my favorites are:
Psalm 1:1-3 (personalized)
Lord, I want my sons and daughter-in-law, (I name them individually), to walk in the counsel of the godly, not in the path of sinners, nor in the seat of the scornful, so that you may bless them.
May they each (again, I name them individually) delight in your law, God, and meditate upon it day and night.
So they may be like trees, planted by the rivers of waters, and bring forth fruit in their seasons. May they be trees whose leaves do not wither; and may they prosper in whatever they do!
Another favorite of mine to pray is Colossians 1:9-12 (personalized).
Lord, May I be filled with the knowledge of your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. May I walk in a manner worthy of my Lord Jesus Christ. May I please you, God, in all respects and bear fruit in every good work. I want to increasingly grow in the knowledge of you, O God, and be strengthened with all might, according to your glorious power! May my life express joyous thanks to you, Father, for your grace to me.
In four verses, this prayer acknowledges God’s power, authority, wisdom and blessings. And it’s a prayer that seeks to be blessed by God, to be strengthened by Him, and to grow in grace and live a well-lived, pleasing-to-God life.
It’s also a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. One that leaves your heart awed, humbled, grateful, and happy!
If you’ve never before prayed the Scriptures, I hope this gives you encouragement to do so and a place to start.
Please let me—and others—know how it impacts you and your prayer life!
Until next week, when we’ll embark on a new topic for the month of February, speak God’s word back to Him. He promises it will never return void. Knowing that promise emboldens your convictions and enriches your heart in unexpected ways!
Blessings,
Andrea
“Certainly there was an Eden….We all long for it, and we are constantly glimpsing it.” —J.R.R. Tolkien