February 2006

THE VALUE OF PRAYING SCRIPTURE

D. Bolen

 

Download a list of prayable scripture.

I believe there is extraordinary value in praying Scripture. I have experienced exciting results and so I wish to share this concept with others.

 

By praying Scripture, my private worship times have been greatly enhanced. In addition, as I have prayed sanctification-oriented prayers, I have seen beautiful and amazing changes in my family. These were changes for which I previously prayed without seeing much progress.

 

I have not yet recalled a verse that specifically directs us to pray Scripture. Therefore, I will present a list of reasons why believe we should.

 

• God’s Word will not return to Him void (Is. 55:11)

• Paul says, “imitate me” and he’s recorded his prayers. (ICo.4:16)

• I find the prayers of Scripture so much more spiritually comprehensive than mine.

• So many of the Psalms are prayers. Since God recorded them as such, shouldn’t we make use of them?

• Also, the prayers of many godly men are recorded in the Bible. Aren’t they there for our use?

• We are feeding ourselves spiritually whenever we focus on Scripture and maybe more so when we pray it (Jesus’ own “food” was spiritual)

• We are following the “great commandment” in loving others by praying more comprehensive prayers for them.

• If we pray Scripture, our prayers are correct.

• Praying Scripture causes us to be convicted of our shortcomings even as we pray for strengthening.

• When we pray Scripture, we be aligning our will with His.*

• We are told to pray with confidence and boldness (He. 4:16). In praying Scripture, we can be confident we are praying correctly and therefore can do so boldly.*

• Praying Scripture teaches us to pray what and how the Lord wants (per my wife, Helen).

 

I currently use Scripture for two modes of prayer – for worship and to request spiritual growth. For instance, I pray Ep 1:3-19 in worship. I pray Co. 1:9-14 for the spiritual growth of my family, others and myself.

 

Let me provide you a short sample of praying Colossians 1:9-14 for yourself.  “Dear God, I ask that I may be filled with the knowledge of Your will …”  (and continuing).

 

Here is an brief sample of praying Ephesians 1:3 in worship. “Praise be to You Holy God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for blessing me in the heavenly realms…”

 

I have created a 5 x 7 sheet listing “prayable” Bible verses. It has been an invaluable resource to my prayer life. I have included a copy of this list in this document.

 

In conclusion, I am not suggesting that we pray nothing but Scripture but that we greatly bolster our effectiveness by doing so. I encourage you to join me in this adventure. If you do (or have already have), please share your results with me.

 

* Tami Chelew, author of “Wives in Prayer”

Download a list of prayable scripture.