9 Secrets to Praying the Scriptures Effectively!

This blog post is all about praying the scriptures effectively!

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Quick question: Are you struggling to pray, or are you wondering whether God hears your prayers? Well, many people feel this way at some point in their Christian walk. I can assure you that you aren’t alone!

Prayer is a powerful way to connect with God and access His power, but it’s easy to feel like our prayers are falling on deaf ears. Fortunately, praying scriptures effectively can help us tap into the power of prayer in a whole new way.

But how exactly do you pray through scripture?

Well, that’s why this blog post is here.💃🏾

You’ll learn the following:

• My background in prayer and intercession
• Reasons for praying God’s Word back to Him
• 9 secrets to praying scriptures effectively (#4,5,6 are a must-read!)

I hope by the end of this post; you will have a eureka moment or aha moment and ask, “Why didn’t I know this sooner?”

P.S. Sending super big virtual hugs your way! I don’t take it for granted that you are here. You are welcome, my friend!

Ready? Let’s go!

What does “praying the scriptures effectively” mean?

I feel the need to explain what exactly prayer is. Why? Sometimes we make prayer to be something very complicated and laborious!

Friends, prayer is all about talking to God.

In recent years, people have made petitions dominate prayer. Therefore, people often use their prayer time to give God a list of needs and wants.😢

Now here is the secret to effective prayer…this is done by using His words (Holy Scripture) back to Him. When we do this, we put our physical world in order and alignment with God’s blueprint!

So if we see a physical manifestation of something contrary to what God says, we use God’s word and talk to Him.

Friends, I’m speaking to you as someone who has seen major wins since praying scripture! My prayer time isn’t now about petitions, a pity party, or a sob-fest (although I still have moments when I feel utterly broken!)

If you want to change your prayer life so that it’s effective…then stay tuned!

The power of praying God’s Word (my story)

My granddad was a diligent intercessor. He would pray the will of God for us every day, and we could always count on him to be a pillar of strength in our family. I believe he was also a Spiritual gatekeeper. His prayers were filled with powerful promises and declarations that he spoke with so much faith over our lives. We have seen so many blessings come from his faithful prayers, and I am forever grateful for them.

Through his example, I have slowly taken on this role as well. I now understand the importance of praying for God’s will over our lives, and it has made a huge difference in my life and the lives of those around me.

If you don’t have an intercessor in your family, I challenge you to consider becoming one. It is truly an incredible experience that will leave you feeling closer to God than ever. I pray that the Lord blesses you as you take on this role of intercession!

Reasons for praying the Word of God back to him

As we have discussed, praying the Word of God is a beautiful way to connect with our Heavenly Father.

So many benefits come from praying Scripture – here are just a few!

1. Glorifying God – Praying the Word of God brings glory and honor to God as it demonstrates our faith in Him and His promises.
2. Proven Results – We can trust that His Word will never return void. God promises us that what we pray in faith will be answered, and praying the Word of God ensures success.
3. Spiritual Response – As we pray His Word, there is an undeniable spiritual response throughout the heavenly realms that brings forth a powerful impact on our lives.
4. Reminders of Promises – Praying the Word of God is a great way to remind ourselves of His many promises and keep our faith strong in times of trial or doubt.
5. Confidence – When we pray Scripture, it helps us to speak with confidence and assurance, knowing that God’s Word stands true no matter what situation we are facing.
6. Aligning with God’s Will – When we pray the Word of God, it helps to align our will with His, ensuring that our prayers are in accordance with His will.
7. Focus – Praying Scripture also helps us to stay focused on what we are praying for and not get distracted by worldly cares or worries.
8. Specificity – Praying Scripture allows us to pray for specific needs in a precise manner, helping us to be more effective in our prayers.
9. Relationship – Praying the Word of God is an intimate way to build our relationship with God, allowing us to commune with Him on a deeper level.
10. Growth – Lastly, praying the Word of God helps us grow in our knowledge of the Bible and gain a greater understanding of God’s heart.

Per these 10 reasons, I hope you understand that praying the Word of God is an incredibly powerful tool.

9 Secrets to Praying the Scriptures Effectively!

Here we are, the most anticipated section! From these 9 points, you will understand that scripture-based prayer is an effective and invaluable resource.

Here are the 9:

1. Read and Study the Scripture to Understand the Context

It is essential to read and study the scripture before praying it. This helps us understand the passage’s context and get a clearer sense of how it applies to our lives today.

Understanding context also allows us to pray more intentionally, as we can gain insight into God’s deeper meaning for that specific moment.

Tips on reading and studying the scripture:

• Pray for an understanding of the context before you begin.
• Consider the cultural and historical context of the passage.
• Pray that God will help you to apply it to your life today.
• Use Bible study tools, such as concordances or commentaries, to gain further insight.
• Read several translations or versions for a better understanding.

2. Understanding Authority, Rules, and Jurisdiction

Friends, I want to stress that praying scripture is about much more than just speaking words. It’s about understanding the power behind them and the spiritual laws that govern our world. This often goes unseen but is woven into creation like a tapestry of grace and truth.

We need to consider some fundamental spiritual laws when approaching scripture-based prayer.

Let me give you one spiritual law: e.g., the Law of you reap what you sow. This means you cannot sow evil and pray to reap good.

Recognizing these spiritual laws helps us ensure that our prayers are in line with God’s will and nature and that they will be answered according to His perfect plan.

Here are a few tips:

• Pray according to God’s authority and His Word.
• Understand the authority of a believer.
• Understand the jurisdiction God has set in Scripture and stay within those lines.

I also detailed jurisdiction in my Courts of Heaven post: 12 Steps to Winning in the Courts of Heaven for Beginners.

3. Personalize the Scripture

Personalizing the scripture is a great way to make it more meaningful and apply it directly to our lives. We can do this by replacing certain words with terms specific to us.

For example, if we pray the verse “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18), we can replace the word “me” with our own name. This makes it more personal and allows us to relate better to God’s promises.

Since my name is Heather, I can say, “The Lord will rescue Heather…”

Let’s look at a second example:

Psalm 42:1 says, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

• Think about what that verse means to you and how it applies to your life.
• Take time to reflect on what each verse means on a personal level.
• Give thanks to God for His promises and the truth of His Word.
• Get creative in personalizing the scripture but don’t alter the meaning!

Thirdly, writing out the scripture (or journaling) can also be a great way to internalize it and make it more meaningful. Psalm 128:2 says, “You will eat from the labor of your hands; you will be blessed and prosperous.” Writing this out allows us to think about what that means in our lives.

4. Praying the Scriptures : Promises

Praying the scriptures is a powerful way to renew our minds and trust God’s promises.

When we use scripture, we are reminded that God is faithful and will do all He has said He would do. His promises are real!

Here are some examples verses on promises:

• Psalm 147:3: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
• Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
• Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Tips on praying the promises:

• Ask the Lord to keep His promises in your life and situation.
• Acknowledge that He will perform what He has promised.
• Express gratitude for the truth of His Word and its power over our lives.

Isn’t this powerful? Woo hoo! Praying the scriptures allows us to trust God’s faithfulness and be reminded of His goodness. Just as He has been good throughout history, He still remains faithful and true today!

5. Praying the Scriptures: Commands

Praying God’s commands is a powerful way to connect with God and align our hearts with His will.

When we pray, we can be reminded of His commands and ask Him for strength to obey them as He has commanded us.

Here is an example of how Scripture can be prayed:

• John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Tips on praying the commands:

• Ask the Lord for strength to obey His commands in your life and situation. (We need Jesus ya’ll!)
• Acknowledge that He will help us to be obedient.
• Express gratitude for His grace, mercy, and love that will enable us to obey.

6. Praying the Scriptures: Principles

The Bible is full of principles that can help guide us on the path to living a joyful life. These principles are fundamental truths about God’s nature, His way of life, and our relationship with Him.

They include guidance on how to treat others, proper stewardship, and the importance of forgiveness and humility in dealing with difficult situations.

By striving to incorporate these principles into our prayer, it can make us more effective!

P.S. You can identify a principle by seeing if a verse has Cause and Effect OR If/Then Logic…

Examples of principles :

1. John 15:7 says: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” Here we see that if we are rooted in Him and live according to His Word, He will answer our requests.
2. Furthermore, John 14:14-15 says: “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” This is another principle that is pretty self explanatory.

Tips on praying principles:

• Ask God to use the principles in Scripture to direct us and give us wisdom.
• Pray that He would bring these truths into our hearts, minds, and lives.
• Ask for guidance and understanding of the principles found in Scripture.
• Pray that He would give us insight into His Word so that we may better trust His will.

7. Rely on Holy Spirit: Empowerment

As we pray the scriptures, it is essential that we rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance. He is here to empower us with strength, peace, and understanding as we lift up our prayers to God.

We can draw close to Him by asking Him to lead us into a more profound revelation of the truth found in the scriptures.

Here are some examples of how the Holy Spirit can help us as we pray:

• Romans 8:26: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
• Isaiah 11:2: “The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.”
• Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Tips on relying on Holy Spirit:

• Pray for more revelation as you read through His Word.
• Ask the Lord to provide strength and guidance as you pray Scripture.
• Invite Him to intervene in your prayer time, affirming His presence.

From personal experience, the Holy Spirit is here to empower us and provide an understanding of the truths found within Scripture that we may not have seen before.

We can trust Him to lead us in our prayer life and draw closer to Him as we rely on His power.

Talk to the Spirit as you, allowing you to reveal more of God’s character goodness. Pray for understanding who He is and what it means to be with Him.

8. Incorporating Different Kinds of Prayer

Praying the scriptures also involves engaging in different kinds of prayer.

We can offer praise and thanksgiving for His faithfulness, confess our sins before Him, ask for wisdom and guidance, and seek His protection over our lives.

In 1 Timothy 2, we are told of different kinds of prayer, i.e., thanksgiving, intercession, and petitions/requests.

Here are some examples of how to incorporate each type of prayer while praying the scriptures:

• Thanksgiving: Psalm 105:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” Let us pray for a heart of gratitude and thank Him for all He has done.
• Intercession: James 5:16 says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Let us pray for others in their time of need as we bring them before God and ask Him to meet them at their point of need.
• Requests: Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Let us pour out our hearts before Him as we ask for His help and seek His will for our lives.

We can trust in the power of prayer as we come before God to pray the scriptures. May we be encouraged to bring all kinds of requests before Him, knowing He hears us and will answer according to His perfect will.

9. Reflect on scripture

Reflecting on Scripture is a great way to take what we read and meditate on it further. It allows us to slow down, ponder the meaning of the words, and prayerfully consider how they apply to our life.

Additionally, Reflecting on Scripture gives us an opportunity to learn from God’s Word and understand it at a deeper level.

Here are some verses on reflective prayer:

• Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night.”
• Psalm 119:15: “I will contemplate your precepts and consider your ways.”
• Isaiah 30:21: “When you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'”

Tips on reflecting:

• Ponder the deeper meaning of the scriptures.
• Consider how it applies to your life or the lives of others.
• Pray for specific insight and application for your day-to-day living.
• Take the time to listen and be still before the Lord.
• Be intentional in reading scripture slowly, prayerfully, and carefully.
• Pray that God would reveal Himself to you through His Word, and be open to hearing from Him.
• Ask Him to speak into your heart and mind as you meditate on the scriptures.
• Make sure to take note of any thoughts or impressions that He is speaking directly to you during your time of prayer and reflection.

By engaging in reflective prayer, we allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and hearts to understand more of God’s Word. As we spend time reflecting on scripture, may we be filled with awe and wonder at all He has done!

Reflective prayer is awesome…

P.S. I often see reflective prayer as “walking” with the Holy Spirit and having a gentle easy conversation. Fun fact: I did this a lot in boarding school in Kenya. I would meditate on a verse and walk around the football field on cool evenings (~50 degrees Fahrenheit). I would get so excited to spend time with the Holy Spirit!

Prayer for the power to pray scriptures effectively

Heavenly Father,

We enter your gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. We thank you and  give praise your Holy Name (Psalm 100:4)

Lord, we bless and thank you for the promise that your Word holds. You have given us direction and guidance through your holy scriptures, and we are grateful for your mercy and love.

We ask that You bless us with insight to see the truth of Your Word so that our prayers may be effective when speaking the words of scripture.

Guide us so that we lean not in our own understanding but rather trust in You (Proverbs 3:5-6). May we come to You with open hearts and minds, always trusting that Your Word is true, faithful, and everlasting.

Bless us with the wisdom and discernment to know how to effectively pray Your Word, enabling us to experience the power of scripture in our lives and see the fullness of its effectiveness. May our words be pleasing in Your sight as we seek You out through prayer and Scripture.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us access to Your powerful Word. As we read it and meditate on it, may our prayers would be aligned with Your will and our minds could be renewed through the power of Your Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

And that’s it, folks, praying the scriptures effectively!

Scripture prayer can be a sweet time spent communing with the Lord and expressing our hearts to Him. And guess what, we can effectively pray using scriptures!

May we come boldly before the throne of grace as we seek God’s face in prayer (Hebrews 4:16). As we pray Scripture, may He will fill us with love and truth that will bring us closer to Him daily.

Let us not forget the incredible power of prayer!

You’ll totally love these other blog posts (I promise!)

12 Super Tips on How to Develop a Consistent Prayer Life

Prayer for Protection Psalm 91

11 Supercharge Tips to Praying the 23rd Psalm

The Power of The Prayer Shawl | Christian Prayer Shawl

Alternatively, visit my prayer section on my blog post!

Hugs,