Curt Daniel's "Helpful Hints on Reading the Bible" (Part 10)

This is Dr. and Pastor Curt Daniel's tenth and last helpful hint on reading the Bible. What he suggests is likely not a common practice, but by no means is it a futile practice. It would probably be most helpful when one has a difficult time finding the rights words to pray (I would encourage that one consistently practice it, however). This method obviously requires a deepening understanding of the Word of God, which then would translate into a deepening prayer life, which supports the notion that Scripture elicits sanctification (John 17:17). The Genesis 1:1 example provided by Daniel's shows how this can be applied. Note how the reading of the text transitions to acknowledgment of God's creative power, which transitions to thanksgiving, which transitions to humble supplication. Enjoy the read:

10. PRAY THE BIBLE.

"What does it mean to "pray the Bible"? This is more than simply praying before and after reading it. It is even more than praying as you read and study. Praying the Bible simply means using the words and thoughts of a passage in your prayers. This is generally done most in private devotions. This is most easily done with the Psalms and prayers in the Bible, of which there are hundreds. For example, first know what the writer is saying. Then use his words as your own as you speak to God. Try to identify with the writer and his circumstances. When you wish to confess sin, you may want to pray Psalm 51. You may find it useful to pray certain psalms which call upon God for help in time of persecution, affliction or doubt. Even the imprecatory psalms can be prayed with the right attitude (such as Psalm 59). When thankful, you can pray most of the psalms, for most are psalms of praise. And of course, there's the Lord's Prayer. In all this, however, one must not simply use mindless repetition without faith or understanding. But with faith and understanding, one can pray the Bible regularly as he reads through it. It can be done with all parts of Scripture. This will usually mean a certain amount of paraphrase. Listen as God speaks to you in the verses you read, and meditate on them and reply back to God according to the meaning and message of that very passage. Some devotional books are just that. Take Gen. 1:1. A prayer on this passage might be something like this: "Lord, in the beginning of time, You created all things. You designed and formed all that is or was or ever will be. You created the Heavens and the Earth, that which is up there and that which is down here, that which is seen and that which is invisible. Lord, You say here that You Yourself created the universe. I thank you that it was you, the loving and personal God who did that, and not a mindless, impersonal Evolution. Savior, create in me a new heart. As Your creation reflects your glory around us, may Your spiritual new creation reflect the beauty of Jesus Christ in me." Praying the Bible thus becomes a personal conversation with God. Be careful to use your mind in this, else it can easily become emotional mysticism which misuses Scripture. Pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), especially when reading God's Word. May the Word of God speak to our hearts and produce an echo of faith and love. 10. Pray the Bible. What does it mean to "pray the Bible"? This is more than simply praying before and after reading it."