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Praying Through Scripture with Specific Passages as Guides

Praying through Scripture involves using biblical texts as a framework or guide for communication with God. This practice is rooted in the understanding that Scripture is "given by inspiration of God" and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [5]. Prayer itself is described as converse with God, an intercourse of the soul with God through direct address [2].

The Bible provides numerous examples and commands regarding prayer. Believers are exhorted to pray to God [1], to Christ [1], and to the Holy Spirit [1]. Prayer is to be offered "through Christ" [1], as He is the way to access God [4]. The Scriptures command prayer in passages such as Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 [1]. Various postures and expressions are associated with prayer, including bowing the knees (Ephesians 3:14), looking up (Psalm 5:3), lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1), pouring out the heart (Psalm 62:8), and crying to God (Psalm 27:7) [1, 2].

One way to pray through Scripture is to use specific passages as models or prompts. For instance, the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 is presented by Christ as a "new directory for prayer," showing the "matter and method" for disciples' prayers [7]. This prayer is a model of simplicity, contrasting with "pagan wordiness" [8]. Adam Clarke suggests that using words God himself has provided, such as those in the Lord's Prayer, can make prayer particularly potent when offered believingly [13].

Scripture also offers guidance on what to pray for in various circumstances. For those experiencing affliction, the Bible encourages prayers for God to consider their trouble (2 Kings 19:16), for His presence and support (Psalm 10:1), for divine comfort (Psalm 4:6), for mitigation of troubles (Psalm 39:12-13), and for deliverance (Psalm 25:17, 22) [3]. Prayers for pardon and deliverance from sin (Psalm 39:8) and for divine teaching and direction (Job 34:32) are also encouraged [3]. For example, Psalm 119:33 can be prayed as a request for God to "Make me to go in the path of thy commandments," expressing a desire for guidance and strength to obey God's will [9].

The practice of praying through Scripture can involve taking the words of a biblical text and turning them into direct address to God. For instance, the prayer in 2 Thessalonians 3:5, "May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ," reflects an Old Testament expression and can be adopted as a prayer for oneself or others [10]. Similarly, the introduction to Isaiah 64 describes a transition from complaint to prayer, with phrases like "rend... heavens" and "flow down" becoming part of an earnest plea for God's intervention [11].

The Bible also illustrates prayer as a means of seeking God's will. In Acts 1:23-26, the apostles prayed and then cast lots to discern God's choice for Judas's replacement, demonstrating "humble dependence on God to reveal his will" [12]. This highlights that prayer, informed by Scripture, is a vital component of seeking divine guidance. The Psalms frequently exemplify this, such as Psalm 16:7, where the psalmist declares, "I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes" [6]. This verse can be prayed as an affirmation of God's guidance and a request for continued counsel.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  4. 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”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 16:7 (Geneva1599) — I wil prayse the Lord, who hath giuen me counsell: my reines also teach me in the nightes.”
  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”
  8. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:7: 6:7-8 God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.”
  9. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:33: Make me to go in the path of thy commandments,.... Lead, guide, direct me in the path, and use me to it; work in me both to will and to do; give both ability and a willing mind to walk therein; by granting fresh supplies of grace, and more spiritual strength; by drawing with the cords of love, and by putting in him the good spirit of grace, to cause to walk in the statutes of the Lord, and keep his judgments and do them, Eze 36:27; for therein do I delight; in the law of God, after the inward man; in the commandments of Christ, which are not grievous; in wisdom's ”
  10. 2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:5: 3:5 The prayer that God would lead (literally make straight) their hearts reflects an Old Testament expression (1 Chr 29:18; Prov 23:19). Christians are expected to love as God loves and practice patient endurance as Christ endured.”
  11. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 64 (introduction): TRANSITION FROM COMPLAINT TO PRAYER. (Isa 64:1-12) rend . . . heavens--bursting forth to execute vengeance, suddenly descending on Thy people's foe (Psa 18:9; Psa 144:5; Hab 3:5-6). flow down-- (Jdg 5:5; Mic 1:4).”
  12. Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 1:23: 1:23-26 With prayer (1:14, 24) and humble dependence on God to reveal his will, the apostles cast lots, using an established method of finding God’s will (see Lev 16:8; Num 27:21; Deut 33:8; Josh 14:2; 18:3-10; Prov 16:33). Matthias was selected to replace Judas. After Pentecost, the Holy Spirit guided Jesus’ followers through dreams, visions, and prophecies instead of through lots (cp. Acts 2:17-18; 13:2; 16:7-10). • you know every heart: See also 1 Sam 16:6-7; 1 Kgs 8:39; 1 Chr 28:9; 2 Chr 6:30; Pss 7:9; 44:21; Jer 11:20; John 2:24-25; Rev 2:23.”
  13. Hosea (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hosea 14:2: Take with you words - And you may be assured that you pray aright, when you use the words which God himself has put in your mouths. On this very ground there is a potency in the Lord's Prayer, when offered up believingly, beyond what can be found in any human composition. And it may be presumed that it was this consideration that induced our reformers to introduce it so frequently in the public liturgy. See the order of God's directions here: - 1. Hearing these merciful invitations, believe them to be true. 2. Cast aside your idols; and return to God as your Maker, ”
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