Praying Scripture – Part 2
How do you put the words of the Bible into your own words in prayer?
Verse of the Day
‘Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.’
Today’s Devotional
What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? According to several commentaries, praying in the Spirit means praying in full submission to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit. One commentary says: “The Greek word translated “pray in” can have several different meanings. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.” Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for.”
In the verse just before today’s verse in Ephesians, we are told to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” as our only offensive weapon in the armor of God. So wouldn’t it make sense for us to pray directly from the Word? Well, yes. But…the Bible is often written in language that we find unfamiliar. It might not feel like an authentic conversation with God to be “reading” to Him.
What would happen if we looked at the meaning and intention of certain parts of the Bible and made those things the backbone of our prayer?
For example, let’s look at Psalm 23:
The Lord is my shepherd; (This is a relationship of dependence.)
I have all that I need. (God is our Provider. Everything we have comes from Him.)
He lets me rest in green meadows; (The only true Source of rest is in God.)
He leads me beside peaceful streams. (God refreshes us.)
He renews my strength. (Our strength comes from God.)
He guides me along right paths, (God is willing and eager to guide us.)
Bringing honor to his name. (God guides us toward Him, which gives us purpose.)
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, (There will be difficulties in this life.)
I will not be afraid, (We can declare our trust in God’s love and protection.)
For you are close beside me. (God is faithful in His nearness.)
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Spiritual growth will require discipline.)
You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. (With God, there is always hope.)
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. (God is consecrating us for His purposes.)
My cup overflows with blessings. (There is abundance in God.)
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, (God’s faithful love is chasing us.)
And I will live in the house of the Lord forever. (We have eternal security through our belief in God through the sacrifice of Jesus.)
If I were to put Psalm 23 in a prayer of my own words, it might look like this: “Father, I am fully dependent on you and grateful for your Lordship in my life. You provide me with everything I need. All that I have comes from You. In You I find rest and refreshing, please help me to seek You for those things and not things of this world. Help me to seek You for my strength and not to rely on my own abilities, which also come from You. I seek your guidance, and I ask that I be willing to do all things for Your glory. When things are hard, please help me to trust in You and not to be afraid of the circumstances I can see. You are near, and I am so grateful. Help me to feel Your presence. Please remove anything in me that keeps me from serving you well, and help me to accept your discipline with a willing and teachable heart. Help me to look to You for hope. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for pursuing me with Your love. Help me to be still so that I am caught up in Your love. I can’t wait to be with You in heaven forever. You are so good to me.”
The Bible is an excellent tool for teaching us how to pray. And this is not about getting anything right, it’s about having a relationship and learning how to communicate authentically with our Father.
Journal Prompts
Take one of the Psalms from yesterday’s post or any favorite Bible passage and try putting it in your own words of prayer.