Tools for Monday: Praying the Scripture
Over the past few weeks, we’ve examined proven strategies for effective Bible reading. Incidentally, some of these strategies have been discussed in greater detail in our recent summer Wednesday night prayer and Bible study services. You can easily find these services archived on the church Facebook page. We have also discussed recently some strategies regarding the spiritual discipline of prayer in our Monday blogs.
So, what happens when you combine both prayer and Bible reading? You get an ancient and trustworthy spiritual discipline called “praying the scriptures.”
Praying the scriptures is almost as old as the Scripture itself. For instance, in Psalm 1, we are encouraged by the wise person who meditates day and night on God’s law, or the first five books of the Old Testament. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles to Timothy, requests for someone to bring him parchments, which would have contained biblical books. Paul desired both to study and meditate on God’s Word even near the end of his life. It is also beyond clear that Jesus spent copious amounts of time meditating on God’s word and praying away from the distracting influences of his day.
Meditation plays a key role in praying the scriptures. We’re not talking however about meditation from an Eastern or New Age perspective. This kind of meditation is self-centered and so mystical that it turns the individual from a focus on the Lord to a focus on the self. A mantra is nowhere close to the God-breathed Bible. The kind of meditation we discuss here is practical, not mystical. It has to do with curbing distractions and focusing the mind on the Lord and what God is telling us through His Spirit in the Bible.
Praying the Scripture involves a simple process, but it does take self-control and discipline. Here are some basics.
- Make sure you carve out some time to be free from distractions. Praying the scriptures is intentionally a slower process. You will be working on God’s time, not yours. It is advisable to settle comfortably in a place where you can be alone for at least 15 minutes (or more). Avoid your television, phone, and/or computer, internet, and the like.
- Choose a Bible passage to read. One of the Psalms or a reading from the Gospels is a great place to begin. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is an excellent passage to explore a little at a time.
- Before reading the passage, pray something like this (in your own words): “God, show me what lessons you want me to learn and ponder in your word.”
- Read the passage. Listen for the Holy Spirit to point out key words, phrases, or ideas. Simply sit with the passage for a while. Perhaps you could read the passage a few more times for clarity. What is God telling you? Are you convicted of a sin and need to repent? How does this passage help you to follow Christ? To make disciples?
- Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for opening your eyes to the passage.
Write down your thoughts from the passage/prayer, or (if appropriate) share your experiences and impressions with a trusted Christian friend.