IN THE EARLY CENTURIES OF THE CHURCH, believers were taught to pray the Scriptures. Since the Bible is divinely inspired, they believed that praying Scripture deeply connected them tot he mind and heart of God. Furthermore, as Scripture was repeatedly prayed, it become memorized. This was a wonderful benefit to those who were illiterate. It also meant that memorized Scripture could lead them into prayer and any hour of the day or night.

Praying Scripture is a way of entering deeply into the text with a heart alert to a unique and personal word from God. Words and verses that catch our attention become invitations to be with God in prayer. When our prayers seem to be more about maintaining control and offering God our agenda for his stamp of approval, praying Scripture can return us to a simpler state of openness and attentiveness too God. We lay aside our own agendas and open ourselves up to the prayers given int eh Bible.

The book of Psalms is a wonderfully human prayer book. In doesn’t clean up the mess of life before prayer. It brings the totality of human life to God. Here we find prayers that voice our needs, fears, joys, sorrows, anger, frustration, loneliness, dryness and joy. The Psalms invite us to be authentic and honest and come to God as we are. The Bible also contains wonderful prayers by people like Jesus, Paul, Daniel, Mary, Moses and Hannah. Their prayers can provide a framework for intercession for peoples and nations. When we are at a loss for words and have no prayers in our heart, the prayers of Scripture are ready to guide us to God. They can provide the help and structure that keeps us on the path through a difficult season.

SPIRITUAL EXERCISES:

1. Use the Lord’s Prayer as a framework for your prayer.
2. Become quiet and breathe in God’s love. Breath out your self-doubts and self-recriminations. Turn to Psalm 139. Slowly read the Psalm aloud, pausing after each verse. Substitute your own name for the pronounce me and I. Do not hurry. There is no need to get through the entire psalm at once. Respond to God’s nurturing knowing.
3. When you are convicted of your own sinfulness, turn to Psalm 51 or Psalm 52. Offer yourself to God in repentance. Read the psalm one verse at a time. Stop after each verse and take to God about what you have read. For instance: “When I kept silent, / my bones wasted away / through my groaning all day long” (Psalm 32:3). Consider where you are hiding from God and others. What secret are you afraid to face or share with God and perhaps others? How is your denial and rationalization of some sin eating away at your peace of mind? Talk with God about this verse and move to the next verse. Continue throughout the chapter.
4. Is there a story in Scripture that reminds you of your life or a situation in your life? Go to that story and begin to meditate on it. What is God saying to you? How might the life of a biblical character help shape your prayers?
5. Is there a prayer in Scripture you can make as your own as a prayer of commitment or a love song to God? Memorize it and sat it often to the Lord.
6. If you find it hard to pray for someone you love (or even hate), ask God to give you a prayer for him or her from his Word. Don’t stray from that prayer until you are prompted by the Holy spirit to do so.