Praying Scripture for God’s Direction

Recently, a memory from high school led me to explore how praying Scripture helps us discover God’s direction:

Several friends and I had traveled to a neighboring city to attend our first concert. In our excitement to sing along with the pop rock sensation Rick Springfield, we did not pay close attention to the route which got us there. After exiting the concert arena parking lot onto dark streets, our sense of direction failed us. We made a series of wrong turns, and our cheerfulness quickly faded. As teens in the early 1980’s, we lacked helpful tools like cell phones and navigation systems. We were lost.

Fortunately, my dad planned for the common mishaps of my youth. When I started riding around in cars, he gave me a quarter and a message–“Remember to call whenever you need to.” Although I considered his gesture unnecessary at the time, I certainly felt grateful for it that night when my friends and I squeezed ourselves into a phone booth to call him.

There were no visible street signs we could offer him as a reference, but somehow he pinpointed exactly where we were based on our description of a Dairy Queen ice cream parlor across the street. That’s impressive, right?! He gave us the directions we needed to get back on the right route and we successfully made our way home.

Remembering this story encouraged me to think about how God, my Heavenly Father, also plans ahead for my mishaps, wanderings, and mistakes. Instead of a quarter, he presses the Bible into my palm. And, instead of streets, highways, and landmarks for direction, he provides words of Scripture.

When I am lost, opening the Bible and repeating God’s instructions back to him through prayer helps me find the right route.

Certainly, God wants to hear every heartfelt prayer, whether it includes Scripture or not. A prayer helps us communicate with God, know him better, thank him, and worship him–all good things. I am discovering, however, that using Bible verses, especially as a starting point for prayer, is very helpful. Here’s why:

Benefits of Praying Scripture:

Praying Scripture puts hard feelings into words

When the world beats you down, open up your Bible. Let His sentences finish yours. Let truth walk before you like a guide on a dark path.–Lysa Terkeurst

Expressing deep feelings to God in prayer can be difficult. We may not know what to say, or we worry about saying it wrong. And, sometimes we avoid praying because we feel overwhelmed by schedules or the situation.

Using the words of Scripture in our prayers lifts this pressure off our shoulders. The focus moves away from ourselves and the search for the “right” words towards God and his words. As we meditate on God’s loving hope-filled messages, he brings peace and grace to what overwhelms us.

Praying Scripture helps us describe what we are feeling and immerses us in God’s love.

Scripture aligns our prayers with God’s will

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

Gradually, as we read and explore the Bible, certain verses will stand out as the right ones for a given day. Some days, we find several verses or a Bible story to consider. Other days, it feels right to focus on just one verse or even a small segment of a verse. The key to praying Scripture is not how many verses we pray, but how meaningful the verse or verses are to us in the moment.

There is no rush to learn as many Bible verses as possible. If we consistently show up with a heart to know God, then the Holy Spirit, as our teacher, will help us learn at our own pace. Soon, Scripture will start flowing naturally into our thoughts and prayers.

As we grow more comfortable with the Bible, we become more aware of God’s messages in our lives. We want to please and honor him, so we look for ways our lives can be reshaped to do so. Scripture becomes the tool we rely on for understanding the essence of God’s heart.

Selecting significant, meaningful Bible verses to pray shapes how we view situations; it helps align our will with God’s will.

Scripture helps us pray boldly and confidently

Don’t go to Scripture looking for your own idea; go searching for God’s. –Max Lucado

To pray boldly and confidently using Scripture we must first make sure we understand the context of the verses we choose. Some verses appeal to us, but the meaning of the story or verses surrounding it do not apply to our situation. For example, God bestowed riches upon Solomon, but that does not mean he intends to do the same for us. If we are drawn to a particular verse or story, then it is important to consider how its underlying meaning could serve God in our lives. Effective Scripture based prayers will work to glorify God in some way, not ourselves.

When we understand the complete meaning of the verses we choose we can include them in our prayers with confidence. Over time, our faith strengthens as we connect what happens in our lives to the Scripture we have prayed. We build trust in God’s directions which helps us overcome any anxiety or timidity about approaching him.

We feel bold and confident when we pray Scripture because we know the words we use please God and represent the relationship we have with him.

Praying Scripture transforms our hearts and minds

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 NLT

I used to think I needed to read the Bible so I would know things like who Moses was, the Ten Commandments, and why Jesus died. Of course learning those things matters, but now I understand something more important.

Reading the Bible is about more than learning history, values, and a message of salvation. As we read the Bible we open and accept an invitation from God to transform us. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God helps us see where our lives need mending, re-direction, and hope. Issues in our lives we were unaware of before become apparent. We seek to change things and better ourselves.

If we read Scripture only to gain knowledge, then we disregard its immense power. Praying Scripture engages God to shape us into the person he intends us to be. Our prayers help unfold his good plans in our lives.

A simple process for praying Scripture:

1. Identify a relevant, meaningful Scripture for prayer

Some methods:

• Bible reading and studies
• Online searches for Bible verses on a topic. For example, this link from BibleStudyTools.com lists verses for encouragement: Encouraging Bible Verses and Christian Quotes to Strengthen Your Faith.
• Dictionary/concordance found in the back of most Bibles
• Devotionals
• Bible apps and websites
• The book of Psalms which consists of over one hundred prayers

Let’s use this as an example: For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

2. Research the Scripture context and meaning

There are Study Bibles which include explanatory notes and insights about the meaning of Scripture. And other Bible versions, like The Message or the Amplified Bible, also shed light on a verse’s meaning by using contemporary language and descriptive words. Online searches, Bible apps, reputable devotions, and Bible commentaries can also provide clarification.

Example: Using the study notes in my Bible I learn–my faith in Christ empowers me to face my challenges and carry out his will in my life.

3. Record the applicable verse

Writing down the selected Scripture in a prayer journal or notebook, as well as reading it aloud, can help you process and remember it. You can even personalize the verse by inserting your name or the person’s name you are praying for into it.

Example: For I, (your name), can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

3. Reflect on what the verse means to you

Consider how the Scripture could be helpful in your life right now.

Example: Ask for Christ’s strength to help me through a health challenge.

4. Add a few of your own words in prayer

Under the recorded Scripture in your journal or notebook, write a prayer applying it to your life.

Example: Dear God, I ask for your calming strength to fill my mind, body, and spirit today. Help me face this health challenge without fear through knowing you are with me and you will care for me. I pray to follow your example of courage in whatever I need to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

5. Think and pray about the Scripture during the day.

6. Thank God when you make connections between the Scripture and his good work in your life.

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. Isaiah 55:11 NLT

Is there a Scripture you find yourself praying often? I would love to hear what it is. Feel free to share it in the comments below!

Even when we get lost, God always knows right where we are. His Word offers directions we can trust. Use the Bible to make your call and press on in faith, my friends! ~Jamie

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Related Posts

• Read how I started using Scripture based prayers in About Me and This Blog and Learning to Pray
• Three Ways Play Helps Us Pray
• Designed for Prayer: the pause of a praying mantis
• Getting to Know God Better
• Psalm 23: A Shepherd’s Meanings and Motivations

Inspiring Resources:

BibleStudyTools.com: 40 Top Bible Verses about Prayer

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