How to pray Scripture back to God…

Praying scripture back to God involves reading a Bible passage, reflecting on its meaning, and turning its phrases into personal prayers, ensuring your requests align with His will. This method—often using the Psalms, Pauline prayers, or highlighted verses—transforms Bible study into conversation by praising God for His attributes, confessing sins, or requesting help based on His promises. 

Methods for Praying Scripture

• Identify and Personalize: Select a verse (e.g., Psalm 23:1) and insert your name or specific situation, such as, “Lord, thank you that You are my shepherd, so I know I have everything I need”.
• The “Three R’s” (Rejoice, Repent, Request): Read a passage and:
  1. Rejoice: Praise God for who He is.
  2. Repent: Ask forgiveness for sins revealed in the text.
  3. Request: Ask for help based on the verse’s promise.
• The “IOU” Method: Use the acronym from Psalm 119 to guide prayer:
  • Incline my heart to your testimonies.
  • Open my eyes to see wonderful things.
  • Unite my heart to fear your name.
• Slow Down and Pause: Read a verse, stop, and pray about it before moving to the next one, allowing the words to shape your thoughts rather than rushing through.
• Use Scripture to Guide Focus: If distracted, use the passage to bring your mind back to God, turning phrases into immediate requests. 

Examples of Scriptural Prayers

• From Scripture: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).
• As Prayer: “Lord, thank you for being my Shepherd. Because You are in charge, I trust that I have all I need and do not need to worry”.
• Another Example: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13)  “Father, please fill me with joy and peace today as I trust in You”. 

Tips for Success

• Keep a Prayer Journal: Write down verses and your personalized prayers to keep them focused.
• Use Different Translations: Read a passage in multiple translations to see different nuances.
• Focus on God’s Attributes: Use verses to praise God’s character rather than just asking for things.
• Pray Aloud: Vocalizing the prayer can help maintain focus.