Praying Scripture Tool
Written by Brayden Brookshier
“I want to pray, but sometimes I don’t know what to pray. My prayers sound the same. I bet God gets tired of them because I do! I wish I could pray prayers that aligned with God’s will.”
If you have ever said anything like this, then here might be a game-changer. This Praying Scripture tool will never leave you without content to pray, it’ll add variety to the language you use, and it will ensure your prayers are praying the will of God back to God!
Why Pray the Bible?
Praying God’s Word is how we let God set the agenda and tone. It ignites our faith because the Bible is full of stories of God acting—real stories. What He’s done for Abraham, Ruth, Hannah, David, Nehemiah, Peter, and Paul, He’s willing to do for ordinary people like us. He is the same God! He is giving us precedent to pray for Him to act in accordance with who He has always been. When we saturate our minds in Scripture, our prayers sound more consistent with God’s heart, covenant, and promises. Intake God’s Word and you’ll more likely pray prayers that access your spiritual inheritance!
God didn’t give us His Word only to inform us; He gave it to transform us, to give language and substance to our prayers. When we take what He’s said and pray it back to Him, we’re standing on solid ground. 1 John 5:14–15 tells us that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. The Bible is our assurance that what we’re asking aligns with His nature, His heart, His promises. Praying the Word anchors us in eternal truth and pulls heaven’s reality into earth’s need.
This isn’t just about reciting verses. It’s about connecting in faith and expectancy—knowing God’s history and believing for His activity now. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that faith pleases God. When we pray the Bible, we’re bringing Him our needs through the lens of what He has already done and promised to do.
Often we want to be able to open the Bible and have it speak plainly to us with some guidance or encouragement for that day. And certainly, God’s word can do that! However, the purpose of Scripture is so much bigger than that. Reading our Bible isn’t to give us a crystal ball insight into the day. Scripture is giving us a revelation of God and his cosmic purposes. We discover how we are the object of his affection and the agents of his purposes. Scripture reminds us how we are invited into something so much bigger than how God can tag along to our personal agenda and make our days a bit more bearable. We are invited to be members of his family and citizens of his kingdom and to play a crucial role in what he is doing for such a time as this. Let the bigger picture inform your daily steps!
What you’ll find is that some passages become bookmarked for situational praying. Some passages become so near and dear to your heart that you pray through them daily or weekly. Just as daily meals nourish your body–these passages provide daily nourishment to pray through.
How Do I Pray the Bible?
Step 1: Notice a phrase or line of Scripture that stands out to you.
It’s okay if this is not the main focus of the passage; God might be stirring something in it. Let whatever is resonating give rise to prayer. Speak to God about what you are processing. Faith will be stirred. Questions will come. You might be inspired to pray bolder! You might read a miracle of Christ in the Gospels and it might prompt you in faith to pray. It could be as simple and honest as: “God, I see what you did here. I am amazed at this! I want to see your power at work in my life in this way as well.”
Try This
Read this verse and choose which word you would highlight.
Psalm 86:11 (NIV) Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.
Why highlight that word or phrase? Practice praying this verse with the pure honesty and curiosity that comes to mind.
Step 2: Find the biblical truth to anchor to.
This is where you seek to tether your curiosity to truth. Praying Scripture does not give us license to interpret and apply it however we want. The power of Scripture lies in the truth of its meaning. Challenge yourself to be like Indiana Jones, seeking the treasure of Scripture beneath the simple surface-level reading. Study the passage if you need. At the very least, you will have to sit with it and wrestle with what you are reading and how it challenges you in your prayer life. This is an invitation to grow! The closer your prayer is to the truth of Scripture, the more confident you can be in praying! When you read and understand Christ’s words in Matthew 6:25–34, you’ll have confidence to pray with great trust and expectancy for God’s provision in your life. He may not provide everything you want, but He promises to give you everything you need.
Try This
Read through Matthew 6:25–34, and note the truths (plural!) in this passage for us as Christ-followers. How can these truths empower your praying?
Step 3: Make your Bible reading conversational with God.
Imagine you are reading the Bible in the presence of Jesus. Imagining Christ being with you isn’t denying reality, but actually using your imagination to catch up to what is already true. After all, Jesus IS with you. And He wants to use His Word to meet you and speak to you. Scripture is described to be “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and therefore, praying Scripture is an opportunity to have a conversation with God. Then, speak those words to God—let your prayer go off on that tangent! Example: reading Psalm 23:1, you might say, “Jesus, you’re my Shepherd. I don’t know what’s coming up this week, but thank you that I don’t walk alone. You will guide me. Help keep me close to you. Show me how you are leading.” Suddenly, Scripture becomes a two-way conversation!
Try This
We hope you have a rhythm of Bible reading in your life. A credible study from Lifeway Research has shown that engaging Scripture 4x a week brings about substantial life transformation. As you engage your Bible (through reading and study) implement praying Scripture. Utilize the steps above as a guide, but do not get stuck in the sequence. This tool is designed to draw you closer to God in prayer by letting Scripture express the cries and hopes of your heart, and by inviting you to cling to His promises that meet you right where you are.
Praying the Bible is permission to pray bigger and bolder, knowing you’re praying in step with God’s heart and will. Reading God’s Word is great, but don’t miss the power of praying through what you are reading. Praying Scripture is where we invoke and invite the Word of God to leap off the page and effect change in us and around us.
In light of what we talked about, let us pray:
Father, Your Word says I am seated with Christ in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6). Change the way I see my circumstances. Fill me afresh with Your Spirit, so that your love, peace, and hope would overflow in my life. Every promise in Your Word is my inheritance—so I say yes and amen to Your will being done in me and through me. Holy Spirit, illuminate the Bible for me to see how you are inviting me to participate with you in your world-redeeming plan! Teach me how to ask you with confidence in your Word. Guide my steps. I need your wisdom. Amen!
Discuss
- What has been your experience praying Scripture? Is this new? Or familiar?
- How might praying Scripture help you break out of the monotony of praying the same things that come to mind?
- Think of some of your favorite verses in Scripture: How can these provide opportunities to pray?
- What are some passages you are going to try to pray through this week?