Day 10
#PRAYREAD
Reminder: Come into His presence with thanks- giving and praise. After you receive the sprinkling of blood, offer thanksgiving. Praise His name, word, works, and power.
Let’s talk about praying the Scriptures. That’s what I’m meaning by #PrayRead. Praying the Scriptures is the central pillar in a life of prayer. It’s the juice that jazzes our prayer life.
You may have noticed that we’ve been praying the Scriptures each day during this Reset. Let’s drill down on this to maximize its potential.
Jesus modeled this kind of prayer during His crucifixion. Of His seven sayings on the cross, three were taken from Psalms. For example, during His crucifixion Jesus prayed from Psalm 22:1.
At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34)
When you are praying Scripture, therefore, you are following the example of the Master.
View the Bible as providing language for prayer. Many verses are excellent springboards for conversation with God.
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowl- edge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. (Col 1:9-11)
Some of the easiest passages to #PrayRead are the various prayers in the Bible. The apostles wrote many prayers in their letters, and they’re excellent fodder for #PrayReading. For example, this prayer of Paul’s is great to use:
PRAY. Let’s use the rest of our time today to pray from this passage. First, ask God to work everything in those verses into your own heart and life. Make mention of specific situations in which you want His will.
Second, think of someone whom you would like to bless in prayer today. Got a name? Now, begin to pray for that person according to each phrase above.
Lord, may ________________ (name of person) be filled with the knowledge of Your will.
Help ____________________ to walk worthy of You. At work, at school, at play, every minute of every day.
May ___________________ please You fully in every word and deed.
Empower ___________________ to be productive in good works.
May __________________ increase in the knowledge of God.
Fill ____________________ with Your mighty power to endure in faith with joy, even when life is painful.
If you’re aware of certain needs in that person’s life, mention them as you pray.
Once you’ve finished praying Colossians 1:9-11 for that person, would you like to offer the same prayer for others in your circle of friends? This is a powerful passage to pray for virtually everyone you know.
You could offer the prayer of this passage for your national president, political and civic leaders, and any other officials for whom you care. The Bible is chock full of marvelous verses to pray over your national leaders. When praying from Scripture, sometimes you’re simply telling God what He tells you to tell Him. As time allows, pray the six requests of Colossians
1:9-11 for some other people who are dear to you.
Another marvelous wayto #PrayRead the Scriptures is during your daily Bible reading. While reading, be on alert for a phrase you’ll be inspired to pray in the moment. As you do, your Bible reading times will morph into a delightful conversation with Jesus.
The more you #PrayRead the Scriptures, the more you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
◆ #PrayReading is a boredom killer, making your time in the secret place more energized and engaged.
◆ Bible reading becomes relational–an interactive conversation with Jesus.
◆ You’ll never run out of things to say because the Scriptures provide endless possibilities for prayer.
◆ You will pray with increased authority.
◆ Your prayers will accord with God’s will.
◆ Your understanding into God’s word will open.
◆ Your whole heart will align with truth and righteousness.
As you step out now from your place of prayer, would you want to take your Bible with you and pray from another Scripture as you hit the road?
RESET: 20 Ways to a Consistent Prayer Life Copyright © 2018 by Bob Sorge Published by Oasis House
Reproduced with permission.
For information on all Bob’s books, go to www.oasishouse.com