Do you sometimes sit down to pray and can't find the words? Do you feel like your prayers are limited and not as effective as they could be? I believe that the most effective prayers come directly from the Word of God. In fact, the Holy Spirit often shows us through the Word what we should pray for.
To be honest, I started praying the scriptures by accident. I read a passage of scripture and felt deeply encouraged or convinced, and I knew that I not only wanted to read it and move on with my life, but that it should be true for me. So I began to pray with the words that I had read in the Holy Bible, and God worked through my prayer and changed my life.
If you want to take your prayer life to a new level, I encourage you to pray through the Scriptures. If you want to know how, keep reading!
What is a prayer script?
When you pray from the scriptures, you simply take a passage, verse, or concept from the scriptures and use it in a specific prayer for your life or community. Instead of forming a prayer from your own heart and mind, you would pray with what is already in the Word.
Why is it helpful to pray the scriptures?
Prayer to the scriptures is helpful for several reasons. First, it protects us from wrong prayer because it comes directly from the Word of God (Santiago 4:3). Then he makes sure that God hears and answers our prayers (1. Jan 5:14-1). It also helps us lead a more biblical life. The world we live in is contrary to God's will, and it is easy to believe that the ways of this world are correct. When we stay in God's Word, praying it every day, our hearts become more aligned with God's. Instead of being seduced by the philosophies of the world, we begin to live more as God wants for us (Romans 12:2).
Related:How to Pray According to God's Word for Beginners
4 steps to pray with the Holy Scriptures
1. Make sure you understand the context of the verse you want to pray about
This is the most important step. When we don't understand the context of what we read, we can finally pray about something that has less to do with what the Bible says and more to do with our own desires. Before you choose a scripture to pray about, ask yourself what it says, what it means, and what the Holy Spirit wants you to receive. If you need more help, read my article on this topic.Questions to ask yourself when studying the Bible.
Consider, for example, Philippians 4:6-7:
Be anxious for nothing, but make your requests known before God in all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philip 4:6-7 NIV
Related:How to study the bible for beginners
The Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle to the Philippians while in prison. But the letter is about joy, perseverance, faith and gratitude. Paul teaches us that circumstances do not have to determine our approach to life. Trials are inevitable, but we can still rejoice in the Lord when trials come.
In these verses, Paul tells the Philippians not to worry about anything. Instead, they should give everything to God in prayer, supplication, and gratitude. We have a promise that if we choose to leave our fears and worries behind in prayer, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.
I think Paul encouraged believers in this way because he knew they would be afraid at times. We all do. But there is a solution to fear. Jesus is the solution. And when we give our all to Him in prayer, He gives us peace in return.
Once you understand what this passage means, it's time to sit down with the Holy Spirit and ask what you want out of it. What truth in these words do you need to hold on to? Are you struggling with fears? Are you worried about something? Do you feel that you lack peace? Allow God to speak to you and reveal the things on his heart that need to be addressed.
Personally, I pick up the truth that I shouldn't worry about.allabsolutely. I'm pretty good at bringing you some concerns, but am I really bringing them all? Am I holding on to something? If I want to obey God's Word and receive peace from him, I must give everything to Him without any restrictions.
2. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you
So let the Holy Spirit speak to you through this passage. He can simply ask, "Lord, what do you want me to pray for?" The answer often comes in areas where you feel confident, uplifted, passionate, or energized.
Constantly consider where the Holy Spirit is leading you. In my case, I can reflect on the areas of my life that I have not surrendered to God. Maybe I'm also thinking about what it means to truly trust God and how I can trust his will.
3. Customize the snippet
After spending some time dealing with the transition, it's time to customize it. Think about what it would mean if these words were true in your life. What would your life be like? Believe that they can be true in your life because they are the inspired words of God.
4. Write your sentence or say it out loud
When you finally personalize a passage, write it down in your journal or pray aloud. Use your name or the names of the people in your life and pray for them with the Word of God.
This is how I would pray in Philippians 4:6-7:
Lord, thank you that I don't have to worry about anything. Thank you for letting me lay every burden and worry at your feet. Instead of trying to solve my problems myself, I thank you for being able to give them to you. Thank you Lord for giving me your peace as I give you my fears and worries. Even if something goes wrong, I can have inner peace. And Lord, help me to do this. Help me put these fears at your feet. Help me return it to you, although I prefer to keep it. Help me trust that you will do what only you can do instead of trying to do what I can't. Thanks God. Amen.
Related:How to Find Meaningful Answers to Difficult Questions With a Topical Bible Study
Types of prayers that we can learn from the Holy Scriptures
Fortunately, there are many types of prayer that we can learn from the Scriptures. We can pray the scriptures for others or for ourselves. We can pray for our local communities and for our national government. We can pray for the sick, the unsaved, the brokenhearted, and the wounded. The solution to human problems is in the Word, and as we begin to pray for it, we will see how life and circumstances change. Here are some sample prayers that we can find in the Scriptures:
thanksgiving prayers
Many thanksgiving prayers are found in the Holy Scriptures, especially in the Psalms. Prayer is not just asking God for what we need. Prayer also includes giving thanks to God. Here are some scriptures that we can use to express our gratitude to God.
I thank you Lord with all my heart; I will count all your wonderful deeds.
Salmo 9:1ESV
Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unwavering love, for His wonderful works toward the sons of men!
Salmo 107:8 BW
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus and give thanks to God the Father through Him.
Colossians 3:17 KJV
Therefore, through him, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Hebreos 13:15, etc.
confession prayers
Sometimes there are sins in our life that we must confess. Prayer to the scriptures can help you acknowledge and confess your sins.
Then I confessed my sin to you and did not cover up my transgression. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Salmo 32:5ESV
Those who cover up their transgressions will not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them will find grace.
Proverbs 28:13
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unwavering love; Erase my transgressions according to your great mercy. Wash me completely of my iniquity and cleanse me of my sin! Because I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before my eyes. Only against you have I sinned and done evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, in wickedness I was born, and in sin my mother conceived me.
Salmo 51:1-5
And forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.
Matthew 6:12 Matthew
prayers of praise
We can use the Scriptures to praise God for his goodness.
Because the Lord is good; His unwavering love endures forever, and his loyalty to all generations.
Salmo 100:5ESV
May everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Psalm 150:6 now
Speak among yourselves with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, sing and praise the Lord with your heart,
EPHESIANS 5:19 NIV
pray for god's promise
Finally, we can use the Scriptures to hold on to the promises of God's Word.
But those who hope in the Lord will regain their strength. They will flutter with wings like eagles; They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not get tired.
Isaiah 40:31ESV
The Lord goes before you. He will be with you, he will not leave you or fail you. Don't be afraid and don't be afraid."
Deuteronomy 31:8 BW
I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. You will have tribulation in the world. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 NIV
Come to me, all of you who labor and are loaded, and I will give you rest.
MATEO 11:28 BW
Pray the scriptures for others
In conclusion, I want to share with you how you can pray the Scriptures for others in your life and community. As believers, we are all called to intercede or pray for others. Sometimes intercession can be overwhelming because we don't know where to start.
First, ask your friends and family what they should pray for. Look for keywords in your queries. Fight against sin? Are you facing financial challenges? Do you have health problems? Find a scripture that speaks to what they need and start praying for them.
When you don't know what someone needs, let the Holy Spirit guide you as you pray for them. When you read something in the scriptures that applies to your friend or family member, pray for them. Find a scripture about peace and God's protection and pray about it. Find scripture passages on how to grow in faith and stay close to God. Pray to those who are above them. The beauty of praying with the Scriptures is that you may not know what your family member or friend needs, but God does and has provided it in his Word. Praying for them with the Word will always help.
A final word on praying with the scriptures
I love to pray with the scriptures each morning as I read them. When I read a passage that stands out, I can stop and pray over it. You can keep a specific list of passages that you want to pray on a regular basis, or you can pray as you read each day. Be flexible about it and use it as a tool to help you grow closer to God. You don't have to worry about everything being perfect, just get started!
I hope this has helped introduce you to the wonderful world of Biblical prayer. The word of God is so powerful! If you feel trapped in prayer or are just looking for new ways to pray, grab a Bible and pray directly from the words you read.