Prayerful Reading of Scripture Techniques and Methods
Prayerful Reading of Scripture: Techniques and Methods
Prayerful reading of Scripture involves approaching the Bible with a mindset of reverence, humility, and openness to divine guidance. This practice is rooted in biblical teachings on prayer and the importance of seeking God's presence in one's life [1].
The Bible describes prayer as a form of converse with God, involving direct address and communication with Him. It can be oral or mental, occasional or constant, and is characterized by various actions such as bowing the knees, lifting up the soul, and pouring out the heart [2]. In the context of reading Scripture, prayerfulness involves seeking to understand God's word and applying it to one's life.
One technique for prayerful reading is to approach Scripture with a sense of expectation and openness to God's guidance. This is reflected in the biblical exhortation to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to "continue steadfastly in prayer" (Colossians 4:2) [1]. By doing so, readers can cultivate a deeper understanding of God's word and its relevance to their lives.
The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, provides a model for prayerful reading. This prayer is characterized by simplicity, reverence, and a focus on God's glory and the reader's needs [4]. By using this prayer as a guide, readers can structure their own prayers and cultivate a deeper sense of dependence on God.
Various Christian traditions have developed methods for prayerful reading of Scripture. For example, the Puritan tradition emphasizes the importance of meditation and contemplation in reading Scripture. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, notes that Christ's instruction to pray "after this manner" (Matthew 6:9) is a call to use the Lord's Prayer as a model for one's own prayers [5].
In addition to these techniques, some traditions recommend using Scripture itself as a guide for prayer. For instance, the Psalms provide a rich source of prayer language and themes, with many psalms expressing a deep sense of longing for God's presence and guidance [6]. By using the Psalms and other biblical texts as a basis for prayer, readers can cultivate a more prayerful and reflective approach to reading Scripture.
The practice of prayerful reading is also linked to the concept of "access to God," which is made possible through Christ and the Holy Spirit [3]. By approaching Scripture with a sense of reverence and openness, readers can experience a deeper sense of connection with God and gain a more profound understanding of His word.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 6:9: When Christ had condemned what was amiss, he directs to do better; for his are reproofs of instruction. Because we know not what to pray for as we ought, he here helps our infirmities, by putting words into our mouths; after this manner therefore pray ye, Mat 6:9. So many were the corruptions that had crept into this duty of prayer among the Jews, that Christ saw it needful to give a new directory for prayer, to show his disciples what must ordinarily be the matter and method of their prayer, which he gives in words that may very well be used as a form; as the sum”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 85 (introduction): This is a prayer in which the writer, with deep emotion, mingles petitions and praises, now urgent for help, and now elated with hope, in view of former mercies. The occurrence of many terms and phrases peculiar to David's Psalms clearly intimates its authorship. (Psa. 86:1-17) poor and needy--a suffering child of God, as in Psa 10:12, Psa 10:17; Psa 18:27. I am holy--or, "godly," as in Psa 4:3; Psa 85:8.”