Praying with scripture involves using Bible verses to guide and inspire your prayer sessions. This method can deepen your prayer life, making it more focused and spiritually enriching.
1. Choose a Scripture Passage
Select a passage that speaks to you or fits your current circumstances. For this example, we will use Psalm 23.
2. Prepare Your Heart and Mind
Find a quiet place, free from distractions. Take a few moments to quiet your mind and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you.
3. Read the Passage Slowly
Read the scripture passage slowly and thoughtfully. Take time to reflect on each word and phrase. Verse 1: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Verse 2: “He makes me lie down in green pastures. Verse 3: “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”Verse 4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”Verse 5: “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”Verse 6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
4. Reflect and Meditate
Consider what the passage is saying. Reflect on its meaning and how it applies to your life. Ask God to reveal His message to you through the scripture. For an example for Psalms 23, consider what it means for the Lord to be your shepherd. Think about His provision and care in your life. Reflect on the peace and rest that God provides. Visualize the green pastures and still waters. Think about how God restores your soul and guides you in righteousness. Consider the times of difficulty and how God’s presence provides comfort and protection. Reflect on God’s blessings and provision, even in the presence of challenges.Think about the promise of God’s goodness and mercy following you throughout your life.
5. Personalize the Scripture
Turn the words of the passage into a personal prayer. Speak to God using the verses as a guide, making them relevant to your own life and situation. If using Psalms 23 we would pray: “Lord, thank You for being my shepherd. I trust You to provide for all my needs. Help me to rely on Your guidance and care, knowing that I lack nothing when I am with You. Father, thank You for the rest and peace You offer. Lead me to places of tranquility and refreshment. Help me to find rest in You amidst the busyness of life. God, restore my soul and renew my strength. Guide me in Your righteous ways, so that my life may honor and glorify Your name. Lord, even in the darkest times, I will not fear because You are with me. Your presence comforts and protects me. Thank You for walking with me through every trial. Father, You bless me abundantly, even in the midst of my struggles. You honor and anoint me, and my life overflows with Your goodness. Thank You for Your generous love. Lord, I am grateful for Your goodness and mercy that follow me every day. I look forward to dwelling in Your house forever, enjoying eternal fellowship with You.”In Jesus Name, Amen.
6. Pray Through Each Verse
Go through the passage verse by verse, praying and meditating on each one. Respond to God with your thoughts, feelings, and requests.
7. Listen and Respond
After praying through the passage, take a moment to listen. Allow God to speak to your heart. Respond with gratitude, praise, or further requests as you feel led.
Conclusion
Praying with scripture, like Psalm 23, involves reading, reflecting, personalizing, and praying through each verse. This method helps deepen your connection with God and ensures your prayers are rooted in biblical truths. Let me know how you incorporate scripture in your prayer life. Share your experiences and tips on praying with scripture.
2. Your prayer changes when you ask the Lord “What do you want to do in my life?” instead of “Why me?”
Twice the 1 Samuel 1 states ” the Lord had closed her womb”, in verses 5 and 6. Its apparent that both Hannah’s husband Elkanah and her co-wife Penninah understood that it was the Lord who had closed her womb. Knowing that her womb was closed by the Lord, Hannah could have asked the Lord why, like many of us often do in similar circumstances. Interestingly she did not dwell on the “why me?” but rather began to look for what the Lord wanted to do in her life by delaying her child bearing. Her actual prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11 she makes a vow, Hannah had got the reason why God had closed her womb!
3. Provocation is the fuel that lights up the Prayer Altar
1 Samuel 1:6 “And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb..” The enemy knows where it hurts the most. That place of your greatest pain, that is the place you are most vulnerable. Hannah’s co-wife knew where she could hurt Hannah deepest. Not once or twice did she provoke her but several times. Little did Hannah know that the words that pierced her soul were the best fuel to light up her Prayer Altar. Always take that which hurts you deepest and use it as fuel for your Prayer Altar it will change your prayers.
4. Let your weeping lead you to your Prayer Altar
1 Samuel 1:7 This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Hannah wept until she could not eat. When your soul is in anguish you will weep. Tears will run down your cheeks like a flowing river. Hannah lost herself to her pain, she stopped eating. No one could console her, not even her husband who loved her. Her appetite for food and those around her was lost. She desired a child more than anything else. Her husband did not understand her pain. He thought he was worth more than ten sons to her. She wanted a child of her own, she wanted to be called a mother. She longed to hold her child at her breast and feel the warmth and joy of motherhood. This desire lead her to seek the Prayer Altar she knew only God could give her what she needed.
5. Pour your heart at the Prayer Altar
1 Samuel 1:9 “So Hannah arose… She made up her mind to pray in the tabernacle of the Lord. In bitterness of the soul, she prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish of the soul. Let me paint this picture for those who have never been here. Hannah was not herself, the only thing she visible to her was the invisible God. She didn’t even notice Eli seated by the doorpost of the tabernacle. Her broken heart was too much for her to bear, the minute she entered, everything she had been holding back poured out. Her frustration over the years, her shame, her bitterness, her desperation… these all came pouring in. It was like someone opened the door to overflowing dam and all the water came rushing in. She did not care who was watching, she did not bother with how she looked or how what she said, it all came pouring out. The Prayer Altar needs to be the place where you unlock all the doors you dare not open in public.
6. Let your prayer request be a Partnership with God:
No one ever sees this coming. All the while as Hannah came and went from Shiloh, she noticed a need in the temple. The priests who were the sons of Eli were wicked and lead God’s people to sin. Each year as Hannah came to Shiloh with her family she saw the need for a Godly priest. God’s desire became her desire. She began to open her soul heavenward. Then she understood, God needed her attention. He wanted to give her special gift, but He could only give it to her when she first understood the need and gave the gift willingly. Hannah now understood how she needed to pray. When she goes into pray, she makes a vow to God. She asked the God of Hosts to give her a son who she would give back to God to serve in the temple all the days of his life. What a vow! An amazing request, it was not about her anymore it was all about God. Give me and I will return him back to you. There was no way God was not going to answer such a prayer!
7. Pray until your prayer is answered
Hannah continued to pray, until Eli the priest who was watching was drawn to her because of the way she prayed. He thought she was drunk due to the manner in which she prayed. I leave that to you to imagine how it is she prayed that made the priest make such a remark. Then, when Eli had confirmed why she prayed as she did he asked the Lord to grant her that which she asked. Hannah’s demeanor changed, she was no longer sad and went and ate. See the faith of Hannah, she had not received the child she had asked the Lord for but she was certain he was on the way. Take a hold of faith and pray until the Lord answers your prayer.
8. Always keep your vow
The Lord will answer your prayers. When He does always keep your vow. It must not have been easy for Hannah to keep her vow. She got the one thing she so deeply desired a male child. But she did not hesitate to give him to the Lord as she promised. Always keep your vow. God blessed Hannah with many more children after she gave back to Samuel. Not only that Samuel lived to be one of the greatest prophets of his time, serving God sincerely and with great humility. In the laps of Hannah as a little boy, he learnt many things that he took with him into the temple. And each year she went to Shiloh and took to him gifts and even though it is not mentioned she must have continued to remind him continuously of how the Lord had given him to her as His precious gift! Give the Lord back what you vow and see him open up great treasures for not only you but for those around you.
9. Return back to the Lord with Thanksgiving
A heart of gratitude carries the day for Hannah. She worships the God who took away her shame and gave her back her joy. Her thanksgiving is recorded in 1 Samuel 2: 1-10, one of the most heartwarming praise from the lips of a woman who is now whole. Give thanks to God in all circumstances, praise Him for who He is and for what He does in your life. Glorify God, for He dwells in the praises of His children. Lift up your voice and say thank you Lord!
The days have turned to weeks, then to months and now the year is almost over. As the curtain is closing on the year, your feet are getting heavier. The road ahead is getting more treacherous and your strength is waning. Looking back at where you have come from is not an option, there is so much pain, heartache and disappointment back there. A pained wince escapes your lips when you try to remember what your journey has been like. The last few months have been a world of hurt to you.
The Options
It was first the loss of your job or was it the terrible incidence with your best friend? It does not really matter now, both are now lost and all that is left is an empty wallet and no one to talk or laugh with. Life seems empty like the road before you. Then, just then you remember. Exodus 14:15 “And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.“With faith and trust let us go forward in the word that the Lord has given us, assured that He will be with us as our Helper and Protector. .
Is there something in your life that is troubling you? If yes, have you prayed about it? If not, pause just now and turn your eyes the Lord God and talk to your Father in heaven. If you have but nothing has happened, continue until it does. There are many reasons why you should take every opportunity to pray. The bible has some great examples of prayer, I share 5 of them below:
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17, 18. The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from the watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the prophet did not give up in discouragement. As he searched his heart it seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came.
3. Samson’s Prayer:
Samson’s prayer “And Samson called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, Remember me.” Judges 16:28. He was a restored backslider, and he had power with God. If those who have been backsliders will but return to God, they will see how quickly God will answer prayer. The contest, instead of being between Samson and the Philistines, was now between Jehovah and Dagon, and thus the Lord was moved to assert His almighty power and His supreme authority.
4. Daniel’s Prayer:
Daniel’s prayer “And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: and I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession. Daniel 9:3, 4. Daniel prayed to God, and Gabriel came to tell him that he was a man greatly beloved of God. Three times that message came to him from heaven in answer to prayer. The secrets of heaven were imparted to him, and he was told that God’s Son was going to be cut off for the sins of His people.
5. Paul & Silas Prayer:
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:25, 26. Look at Paul and Silas in the prison at Philippi. With astonishment the other prisoners heard the sound of prayer and singing issuing from the inner prison. As they prayed and sang praises, the place was shaken, and the jailer was converted.
6. Jesus a man of Prayer:
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35. Jesus Himself, while He dwelt among men, was often in prayer. We read that Christ prayed to His Father for everything. Every great crisis in His life was preceded by prayer. Let me quote a few passages.
Conclusion:
There are nine elements which are essential to true prayer. The first is Adoration; we must approach God as One far beyond our reach or sight. The next is Confession; sin must be put out of the way. Restitution is another; we have to make good the wrong, wherever possible. Thanksgiving is the next; we must be thankful for what God has done for us already. Then comes Forgiveness, and then Unity; and then for prayer, such as these things produce, there must be Faith. After all these, there must come Submission. While praying, we must be ready to accept the will of God.
Psalm 147:3 ” He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their [a]wounds.” A broken vessel will leak and attract those who will not stop the leakage but promote it. Unpack your emotional baggage. Heal from any past trauma. Broken people attract broken people many times. Only God can heal any brokeness and to attract a healthy relationship ensure you are also emotionally healthy as well.
Abraham and Sarah never thought they’d have a son Then descendants came as countless as the stars Moses and God’s people had nowhere left to run Then the waters of the Red Sea stood apart So many times the light of hope was setting like the sun And it seemed to the faithful it was over, it was done
But God sees some way, when miracles are well beyond our view His Love saves the day, when fear would tell us there is just no use You can look the whole world over for the meaning of it all For the purpose that mankind has always sought In the end you’ll discover, there is no other answer But God
But God sees some way, when miracles are well beyond our view His Love saves the day, when fear would tell us there is just no use You can look the whole world over for the meaning of it all For the purpose that mankind has always sought In the end you’ll discover, there is no other answer But God
I know your heart is breaking the pain just comes in waves Everywhere you look it seems like there’s no peace You try not to give up, but the tears will not relent Any minute now you might accept defeat And you stand there with impossible, the next word on your lips And your vision has been blinded and nothing making sense
In the end you’ll discover, there is no other answer But God.
Daniel (; 4 – 21. What a PRAYER was that which came forth from the lips of Daniel! What humbling of soul it reveals! The warmth of heavenly fire was recognized in the words that were going upward to God. Heaven responded to that PRAYER by sending its messenger to Daniel. In this our day, prayers offered in like manner will prevail with God. “The effectual fervent PRAYER of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).
We all have traces of both physical and spiritual features from our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. Its interesting that we do not only look alike but we also behave quite similarly. Our character traits are both inherited as well as learned. Psychology today dated 10th February, 2020 has this article “Family life is essentially a rehearsal for the next generation. Each generation is another piece in a long chain of life we inherit and pass on to our children.” We transmit to the next generation our traditions, our beliefs, our culture and our motivations, all of which can be positive or negative. The bible has great examples of how sometimes seemingly insignificant choices are passed down the chain into the next generation.
Abraham
The father of faith Abraham first choice that had such a positive impact on him and on the generations that followed was his choice to hearken to God’s call on his life. This turned things around for him, his wife and the generations that followed. He began to develop a tradition of worship and obedience to God. Abraham was a very wealthy man, as God blessed him. Although he did love God and trusted in God above anyone else, the negative decisions he makes to lie that Sarah is his wife does begin to spin a negative pattern in the generations that came after him. The decision to lie with his hand maid start a pattern of bitterness, disobedience to God and rivalry.
Isaac
Takes hold of the father’s faith in God. He too has a beautiful wife like his father and a fear that he can be killed because of it and goes ahead to lie like is father Abraham. Altars lifted up to worship, commemorate and call on God is a tradition learnt from his father. His wife is barren like is mother, but because of his prayers God opens her womb and gives her twins. Isaac was blessed with great wealth like his father. Deceit springs up again when Rebekah colluding with her son steal Esau’s birthright. There is conflict between Esau and Jacob like between Ishamael and Isaac. His wife dies before him and he buries her, similar to his father. At his burial his two sons come to bury him after reconciling just like his father before him.
Jacob
In the third generation, the lies move to the immediate family, with Jacob and his mother Rebekah scheme to deceive Isaac to give the birthright reserved for Esau the first born son to Jacob. Jacob flees to his uncle Labans house and there meets Rachel the jaw dropping beauty. Tables turn and he is deceived by his father in law and given Leah “the one with the weak eye”,. He is very wealthy just like his father and grandfather before him. Both his wives are barren like the wives of his ancestors but God opens their wombs. Rivalry, hatred, bitterness threaten to break the family and this mature in the lives of the children when favoritism plays out. Jacob loses his two wives before him and buries them like his father and grandfather before him. Jacob’s name is changed to Israel and he wrestles with God his name is changed to Israel. He is buried by all his sons at Machpelah.
Esau
Thus Esau despised his birthright.” In disposing of it he felt a sense of relief. Now his way was unobstructed; he could do as he liked. Esau took two wives of the daughters of Heth. They were worshipers of false gods, and their idolatry was a bitter grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau had violated one of the conditions of the covenant, which forbade intermarriage between the chosen people and the heathen. The Edomites were descendants of Abraham and Isaac. For the sake of these His servants, God had given them Mount Seir for a possession.9 These are the descendants of Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites.
Conclusion
The ripple effect does move from one generation to another, every seemingly insignificant choice does recur in future generations in greater intensity. From today when you need to make a choice do not focus only on today but cast your eyes on the generations not yet born who will repeat the same patterns you have set in much larger scale. So I pray wisdom will prevail and that you will seek God’s guidance in all your decision big or small.
Fanny Jane Cosby one of my favorite hymn writers wrote the song “Some day the silver cord will break.: It really got me thinking about the certainty of that one day we never dare talk about.
Fanny Cosby’s song says “Some day my earthly house will fall, I cannot tell how soon ’twill be.” We know not the time when the silver cord breaks hence we need to live in the present. Enjoy every minute of your day and soak in all the blessings God gives. Ecclesiastes 3:1 : There is a time for everything under heaven…
