Praying the Bible

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures for ever.
(Psalm 136:1)

I remember a Sunday School question as a child, “if there was a fire and you could only save one book on your shelf, which would you choose?” Of course the answer was meant to be The Bible! At the time I think I really wanted to choose the My Little Pony Annual I’d received that Christmas! But as I’ve got older, I’ve come to realise that the Bible is so much more than just a book, and you can do so much more than just read it.
 
Recently I heard a talk encouraging us to pray with the Bible, using the words to help us to talk to God. There are many ways to do this. The Psalms are a wonderful place to start as so often the words written hundreds of years ago resonate with how we feel today, and they give us the words we sometimes struggle to find.
 
One way of praying the Bible that I’ve found helpful is to take just one verse and allow God to speak through each and every word. Let me show you what I mean with a phrase that is repeated 26 times in just Psalm 136 (so its message must be important!), “his steadfast love endures for ever.”
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Thank You Lord that You love me.
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Lord, help me to focus on You right now. Help me to hear what You have to say.
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Thank You that there is nothing uncertain or unreliable or fickle about Your love. It is steadfast, unending, unchanging, constant, unconditional, with me through thick and thin, whether I deserve it or not, whether I spend time with You or not.
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Thank You that You came to love the world and not condemn us. Thank You that You are loving and want the best for us.
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Thank You that nothing can separate me from Your love, whatever may happen, whatever the future holds, Your love will endure.
 
His steadfast love endures for ever - Thank You that even death cannot separate me from Your love, I am secure in Your forever-love.
 
If you want to try it, here are some other verses …

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing [Psalm 23:1]
God is our refuge and strength [Psalm 46:1]
I have come that they may have life [John 10:10]
I am the light of the world [John 8:12]

A prayer - Lord God, thank you that the Bible is so much more than just a book, it’s a way to be close to You. Amen.

Photo by Samantha Sophia on Unsplash