For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV))
Praying through the Bible is a powerful exercise. Why? Because God’s Word is powerful. And since all of the Bible was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16), you can know that you are praying in His will as you pray through what He’s said.
So, how do you do that? Here’s an example from Psalm 139:1–2 to get you started:
“O LORD, You have searched me and known me” (Psalm 139:1 (NKJV)).
Prayer: Abba Father, It’s so amazing that You, the Creator of the whole universe and my Creator, would take the time to search me and know me. It makes me think of the verse that says, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4 (NKJV)). And even more amazing to me, is that after You have searched me and known me, You still want to have a relationship with me. You know everything about me – the good, the bad, and the ugly – and yet, You still love me. I praise You for loving me that much!
“You know my sitting down and my rising up” (Psalm 139:2 (NKJV)).
Prayer: You not only know me, You know everything I do. You know when I sit down and when I get up again. You know when I’m being lazy or doing something I shouldn’t do. And You also know everything I do to serve You. Please help me to remember that You see all that I do. And please give me the desire to only do what will please You.
“You understand my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2 (NKJV)).
Prayer: It’s astonishing that You not only know everything I think but understand my thoughts. I don’t even understand my thoughts all of the time. And sometimes I don’t even actively hear all of the thoughts rushing through my head. Instead, I’ll listen to the self-talk and believe everything I hear – thoughts that maybe You don’t really love me or care about me. Please help me to pay attention to those thoughts and take them captive. Help me to consider whether they are true or lies. Then, help me to replace any lies with Your truth – that You do love me. That You love me so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. I praise You for all You have done for me! In Jesus’ name, amen.
You can pray through any part of the Bible. And you can pray through God’s Word in different ways. For example, you can pray
- as you read the Bible;
- by meditating on a verse you have memorized; and
- by listening to a Bible app as you take a prayer walk, playing a verse, and then pausing it to pray through the verse you just heard.
So try it for yourself. Start praying through God’s Word every day and breathe life into your prayers as you walk by faith with Him.
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