Praying Scripture
How to Pray the Words of the Bible
Not sure what to pray, or just wanting to add something new to your prayer routine? Praying the words of the Bible is a great idea. In fact, the Psalms were written to be prayed!
Throughout the Bible there are examples of people who prayed in light of God’s promises, actions, and character (Exodus 32, Daniel 9, Acts 4). When we pray the words of the Bible, we can know that we are praying according to God’s will.
1 John 5:14 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
Here are some examples of how to add Scripture to your prayers:
For Children
Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
1 Samuel 2:26 “And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with people.”
Pray that as the children in your life grow in stature that they would also be growing in wisdom and in an obedient relationship with God.
For the Unsaved
1 Timothy 2:3-4 “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people”
God desires for everyone to be saved, so we can pray with confidence for those who are lost. You can say, “Lord, I pray in faith that you will give opportunity for _____ to hear the Gospel, and that you will soften his/her heart to receive it.”
For Yourself and Others
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
You can pray to have rest and peace in the Lord, and to grow in the fruits of the Spirit. This is also a wonderful way to pray for others, especially those who you know are mentally, physically, or spiritually exhausted.
In Praise to God
You can read the Psalms aloud or incorporate pieces of them into the worship portion of your prayer time.
Psalm 113
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord, you his servants;
praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
There are many other psalms of praise, and also psalms of anguish and frustration. God doesn’t just want to hear our happiness, but our sadness and uncertainty, because He cares for us.
Psalm 102:1-5
Hear my prayer, Lord;
let my cry for help come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
when I am in distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly.
For my days vanish like smoke;
my bones burn like glowing embers.
My heart is blighted and withered like grass;
I forget to eat my food.
In my distress I groan aloud
and am reduced to skin and bones.
It’s important to remember that as we pray these things, we must be willing to be active participants in the work of God’s Kingdom.
As we pray for children to grow in the Lord, we have to be an example of Godliness and teach them God’s Word.
As we pray for the unsaved, we must be ready to share the Good News of Jesus with them.
As we pray for ourselves, we should take the necessary steps to receive rest and peace by spending quiet moments with God and shutting out the distractions of the world.
God is ready to do great things for you and through you. Are you ready to ask for those things according to His Word?