PRAYING SCRIPTURES (2)

“...Even so no one knows the THINGS of GOD except the SPIRIT of GOD” – 1 Corinthians 2:11b

It takes Intimacy with the Spirit of God, for us to develop the habit of PRAYING SCRIPTURES: “For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the THINGS of GOD except the SPIRIT of GOD” (1 Cor.2:11). As we search God’s Word by His Spirit, we’re able to “know the things that have been freely given to us by God” (v.12b). In the place of prayer, we learn to discern the Things of God and to know the Mind of God: “Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ” (v.16). In line with these scriptures, we can highlight Four Steps to Praying Scriptures:

First and foremost is to UNDERSTAND the CONTEXT of the scripture we would be praying, or else we may end up praying something that has less to do with what the Bible says and more to do with our own desires or feelings. Before we select a passage of scripture to pray, we must ask ourselves what it says, what it means, and what the Holy Spirit wants us to take from it.

For example, Philippians 4:6-7 says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” The Apostle Paul wrote this epistle from prison. Yet, it’s all about joy, perseverance, faith, and thanksgiving, showing that our circumstances do not have to dictate our outlook on life. Trials are inevitable but we can still cling to the Joy of the Lord when trials come. God’s Peace will guard our hearts and minds when we lay down anxiety and take hold on prayer. Paul encouraged the believers, knowing that anxiety could come, but Jesus is the solution. When we give everything to Him in prayer, He gives us His Peace in return.

Next is to SIT WITH the HOLY SPIRIT once we understand what the passage means, and ask Him what He wants us to take away from the Word. We must let the Holy Spirit speak to us through the passage: “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (Jh.16:13a). God can reveal the things in our hearts that need to be addressed. We can simply ask: “Lord, what do You want me to pray about?” The answer is often revealed in the areas we feel convicted, encouraged, passionate, or stirred to take action. We must then keep meditating on the truth the Holy Spirit led us to. As regarding Philippians 4:6-7, what truth do we need to cling to? Are we struggling with anxiety or worried about anything? Do we feel that we lack peace?

The third step is to PERSONALIZE the PASSAGE. We must think about what it would mean if these words were actually true in our personal life. How would our life be different? We must believe that since these are God’s inspired words, they can be true in our life.

The final step is to WRITE DOWN the PRAYER in a journal or PRAY IT OUT LOUD. It’s helpful to insert our names or the names of people in our life and pray God’s word over them.

Using Philippians 4:6-7 for example, we can pray thus: "Lord, I thank You that I don’t have to be anxious about anything. I thank You that I can lay every burden and care at Your feet. Instead of trying to fix every problem on my own, I thank You that I can give them to You. Lord, whatever may be happening in my circumstances, help me to lay all cares and burdens at Your feet and receive Your Peace in exchange. Help me to trust You to do what only You can do instead of trying to do what I cannot do. Thank You Lord, in Jesus name. Amen."