Scripture Praying

By Words of Hope, Saturday, September 15, 2007

Read: Psalm 119:169-175

Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word. (v. 169)

Scripture focuses prayer. Music gives us the tune of prayer, and Scripture gives us the words. Music can take the focus off the worship leader and direct it to the Spirit. Scripture then shows us what the Spirit says and how we can obey.

The Spirit can help us to pray by interceding with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26). Still, Jesus taught us what we should say when we pray. In order to say our prayers, we need a language, and the language of prayer is the Bible.

Scripture primes the pump of our prayers with promises. It coaches us through our pain with psalms. It teaches us pastoral prayers in the Epistles and warfare prayers through the Canaan conquest. In the Gospels and the book of Acts we learn how to pray for healing and casting out demons.

There need never be a time when we have nothing to say to God if we keep our ears tuned to the Scriptures and hearts open to the Spirit.

Take time daily to study God's Word and listen for his voice. Find a daily devotional or lectionary of readings that will provide direction and accountability. Open your Bible, and ask God to teach you to pray.

Prayer: Lord, we seek to hear from you in your Word and respond to you in our worship.

Used with Permission