Sometimes I pray scripture simply by voicing a prayer from scripture, like the Lord's prayer or one of Paul's prayers for the people he ministered to. More often than not I use Lectio Divina to interlace scripture and my prayer life together. You can see the model I use most
often here: http://www. thepracticaldisciple.com/2009/08/praying-scripture-using-lectio-divina.html.
But, I would really like to know what other people mean by praying scripture, so I can put together some instruction on my blog for my readers. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
John Arnold
The Practical Disciple
p.s. I am new to this network so if this is already covered someplace else, please let me know.
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John, I often find a verse that just stands out to me as I read the Bible. I stop and meditate on it, knowing the Word means what it means! Often someone comes to mind for whom I can pray that verse or verses. I meditate on the Word, sometimes paraphrase it, put in that person's name, and pray to aloud back to God. Sometimes that person is me!
Other times I know that God intends for me to pray for someone for a season on time, and basically know that person's problem. Then I may look up scriptures dealing with that problem or situation.Sometimes I use "Prayers that Avail Much" or Beth Moore guides. Also, Kevin Meador's "The Prayer Closet" has some extremely good materials.
Nancy LeeNowell
Thanks Nancy. I like the idea of paraphrasing and then speaking aloud. Sometimes I will take a Psalm and journal a paraphrase or comparable prayer. I am not familiar with Kevin Meador's book. I will have to check it out. I have really been on a growth curve with prayer since the beginning of the year, mainly because of adopting a discipline of going into my prayer closet (I have a literal one now) at the beginning of the day. There is a rather qualitative difference in my life between when I am diligent about this and when I am not. Lately, I have been a bit off track, I am feeling somewhat called to a season of exploring praying scripture as a daily discipline.
Again, thanks for sharing and the resource suggestions.
John Arnold
thepracticaldisciple.com
Recently God led me to resume memorizing scripture; often I find myself using those scriptures when I pray.
Hi John: I have been learning about this very recently and what I have been taught to do is this: When you are reading the scripture and you want to make that scripture an actual prayer you Say "Dear Heavenly Father, recite the scripture and substitue the words you, them, they, etc with the word, I or me or whomever's name you want to put in there. I am not sure if this makes sense to you, but I find that most scriptures can be prayers when you do this. Also, when you pray about something you can refer to certain scriptures and include in your prayer "it is written in (book.....chapter....etc) ie Dear Lord I come to you in prayer for ___________ because it is written in your word that If I ask, I shall Receive, or if I knock the door will be opened and so on. You know what I mean?
Vicki: I have to confess that I have been weak lately on memorizing. You comment may be a God-nudge for me to get back at it. I have never regretted memorizing.
Thank you,
John Arnold
Vicki Normoyle said:
Here's a popular book called "The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God: A handbook for praying God's Word" by Joy Lamb. She is a prayer minister who became overwhelmed by all the requests she got. She asked the Lord what to do. He said, "Pray my Word, Child. It brings healing in all areas. Trust Me and pray My Word." She then made lists of names under several topics and would pray for the topical list using the scriptures that addressed the topic at hand. Praise reports poured in. Her book is available at Christian Healing Ministries where she ministered under Francis MacNutt.
I have modified this sort of list prayer by using Word of Knowledge. At the big church I minister at, I will go through the weekly prayer requests and make a list of topics from them. Then I will pray for the writers and the subjects of the prayer request cards for everything on the topics list -- as well as what the Holy Spirit showed me was necessary. Praise reports came in. The pastors wanted the original request cards, ostensibly for prayer and to see what needs the congregation had for sermon topics.
What the pastors and congregation didn't notice was the reduction in incidents in cancer and lack of side effects from chemo. But that's our secret.
-- Tim Temple
Order of Saint Patrick
I have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10)
I walk in the light as He is in the light, and the Blood of Jesus cleasnes me from all sin (I John 1:7)
I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2Cor. 5:21)
I am free from unforgiveness and strife. I forgive others as Christ has forgiven me, for the love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost (Matt.6:12; Rom. 5:5)
I am redeemed from the curse Gal.3:13
Father in the name of Jesus I break and annul all curses of poverty, lack, debt and failure in the name of Jesus
I seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things are added to me (Matt 6:33)
Goggle: Warring Prayers...These prayers will cover everything. Read the prayers you need to release until they become alive in your spirit. Then when you pray they will come out of your spirit. and will be pin pointed prayers. Blessings