April 29th, 2024
by The Villa Scribbler
by The Villa Scribbler
Praying the Word...
When it comes to prayer, a stumbling block for some people is the idea that when speaking to God we should be original and impromptu, that our prayers should be spoken “from the heart” and done without preparation.
But, throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find instances of people “praying the Word” by quoting Scripture in their prayers.
It makes sense that if our life should be filled with God’s Word, it is only natural that our prayers be filled with it too. One of the most obvious ways to pray Scripture is to pray the prayers found in Psalms.
Ben Patterson recommends an approach to praying the Psalms that can work for other Bible passages too: Rejoice, Repent, Request.*
To pray using Scripture, ask the following three questions:
1. What about a passage gives you reason to rejoice, to give thanks and praise?
2. Is there something about this passage that reveals sin in your life that should lead you to repent?
3. Does the passage lead you to make a request of God for yourself or others?
Here are a few other verses that you might use in your prayers… Try it out!
Psalm 63: 1-8
Ephesians 3:14 – 19
Philippians 1:9 – 11
1 Thessalonians 3:11 – 13
Hebrews 13:20 – 21
*Ben Patterson, God’s Prayer Book (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2008).
When it comes to prayer, a stumbling block for some people is the idea that when speaking to God we should be original and impromptu, that our prayers should be spoken “from the heart” and done without preparation.
But, throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find instances of people “praying the Word” by quoting Scripture in their prayers.
It makes sense that if our life should be filled with God’s Word, it is only natural that our prayers be filled with it too. One of the most obvious ways to pray Scripture is to pray the prayers found in Psalms.
Ben Patterson recommends an approach to praying the Psalms that can work for other Bible passages too: Rejoice, Repent, Request.*
To pray using Scripture, ask the following three questions:
1. What about a passage gives you reason to rejoice, to give thanks and praise?
2. Is there something about this passage that reveals sin in your life that should lead you to repent?
3. Does the passage lead you to make a request of God for yourself or others?
Here are a few other verses that you might use in your prayers… Try it out!
Psalm 63: 1-8
Ephesians 3:14 – 19
Philippians 1:9 – 11
1 Thessalonians 3:11 – 13
Hebrews 13:20 – 21
*Ben Patterson, God’s Prayer Book (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2008).
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