It’s easiest to get into a conversation when someone speaks to us first. God speaks to us in His Word; and if we pray with an open Bible, we don’t need to think of words to pray to Him. We can simply respond to what He has said.
While praying Scripture doesn’t require a specific method, I recommend the 3-R method,[1] which you can use with any of the Bible’s 1,189 chapters.[2]
To pray using this method, first read a portion of Scripture and ask for God’s help with understanding His Word.[3] Then recognize what God wants to communicate through the passage. Whether you read a single verse, an entire book of the Bible, or something in between, ponder how God wants to communicate
Consider the overarching ideas of a passage, because they will usually harmonize smaller ideas and cause you to pray about something of greater importance. And don’t let a lack of confidence in the way you read the Bible intimidate you. You may mis-interpret it or make mistakes. Trust, though, that the God of the Scriptures will keep you anchored far closer to His heart than if you are left to your own devices when you pray.
Once you have read a passage in this way, you are ready to pray the three Rs.
The 3-R method gives us three simple prompts for turning Scripture into prayer, thereby fostering a proper response to God’s Word. As we grow in our understanding of His Word, through personal study and church participation, this method will prove more and more useful for both personal and public prayers.
This is an excerpt of my new book When Prayer Is Struggle: A Practical Guide for Overcoming Obstacles in Prayer (P&R) from the chapter titled “I Don’t Know What to Pray.” Pick up a copy of When Prayer Is a Struggle for more gospel encouragement and practical tools for growing in prayer.
Related Post: Ten of the Best Psalms for Anxiety, Worry, and Fear
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