One of the best ways to read the Bible is to use it to pray back to God. It helps us claim His Words but also to apply them as we speak back to God. In fact, many parts of the scripture, themselves are prayers. Reading the scripture tells us more about God which in turn helps us praise and thank Him for those truths. In addition, it helps us understand how far short we fall of how He originally designed us and how we should act leading us to confession and lastly, the promises He has given us leading us to requests or supplication.
Read Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
Pray
Thank you, Lord, for not condemning us for our wrong doing because we have placed our faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is You and only You who gives us Life and through You only are we set free from sin and wrong doing and freed from death into eternal life.
Read Romans 8:14-17
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Pray
Lord, you continue to promise us that as we have placed our faith in your Son Jesus Christ, we are your Children. We are not under burden and hardship but have been called to be part of your family. We thank you and praise you for this since we are now your children and have been fully adopted by you for all eternity. Praise you Lord for this loving act. We call you “Father, Daddy” as our true and eternal father and we thank you for your Holy Spirit that gives us this assurance through His leading in us. We thank you for the promise of inheritance you have made to us as your children. One that is with Christ as we are your children as Christ is your Son. And just like Christ who suffered on the Cross, we also fully place our faith in you and through trust, we thank you for the strength that you give us through earthly suffering which draws us closer to you.”
Read Psalm 1
“Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but they delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law they meditates day and night. 3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. 4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; 6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”
Pray
Father, thank you for protecting and guiding me from the evils of the world; from the people that bring me down and encourage me to do wrong. My true joy comes in you and I delight in reading and learning more about you. Your Word gives me joy and fills me. I feel well secured and well rooted when I meditate upon your Word and understand you better. Your Word and its nourishment continue to fill me for all seasons of my life and it produces great fruit and results in me. Your ways are everlasting. Your Word remains forever. As I walk and meditate upon it, your thoughts fill me, and you know my heart and thoughts. Father thank you for giving me such Joy. To you and only you, goes all my praises. Amen.
Continue to read other Psalms and repeat the passages in your own words in the form of prayers to the Lord.