biblical praying

The prayer journal helps to structure our prayers by providing four categories to provide balance. However, we may still struggle to focus our thoughts or find ourselves repeating the same prayer more often than we would like. To provide breadth and depth to our praying, it is inspiring to use the Bible to help us pray. As we pray this way, we are praying ideas that come directly from the mind and heart of God. As His thoughts become our thoughts and His heart is mirrored in ours, we enter into communion with Him. It is in such communion with God—as we pray God’s words—that we receive God’s power through God’s Spirit.

Here are two ways to pray using your Bible. The first is to pray Bible verses as your prayer. The second is to pray in response to the Bible verses.

praying the Bible: examples

Firstly, when we pray the text of the Bible as our own prayer, we are re- wording the text so that it becomes an expression of our own heart and mind. Secondly, when we pray in response to the text, we are describing our agreement or struggles with what God is saying. Here are some examples

of both methods relating to the four categories in the prayer journal. (Bold italics show added or changed words.)

1. Dying to my sinful nature

eg Romans 6:6—“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”

Praying the text: For I know that my old self was crucified with him so that my body ruled by sin might be done away with, that I should no longer be a slave to sin.

Praying in response to the text: Father, this is hard! But may I daily surrender everything to you—my ambitions, dreams—everything.

 

2. Baptised by the Spirit: For transformation

eg Colossians 3:12—“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Praying the text: Therefore, as I am God’s chosen child, holy and dearly loved, may I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience today.

Praying in response to the text: Father, grant me Your Spirit today that I am filled with humility as I meet with the parents on the school board.

 

3. Baptised by the Spirit: For mission

eg Matthew 5:14—“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Praying the text: I am the light of the world. A visible testimony that cannot be hidden.

Praying in response to the text: Father, may I realise that I have the possibility to reveal your presence in my life wherever I walk today.

 

4. Thanks and praise

eg Psalm 23:1—“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Praying the text: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want !

Praying in response to the text: Thank you Lord for being my shepherd. It’s such a relief that I don’t have to worry about what is coming tomorrow!

using prayers in the Bible

It can also be helpful to shape your prayers around the prayers of Bible characters. You can use the prayers of David—for forgiveness (Psalm 51), Jesus—to teach you how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13), Solomon—for wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9), Stephen—when people attacked him: (Acts 7:59-60) or Paul—in praying for others (Ephesians 1:15-20, Ephesians 3:14-21).