MILESTONE 7: READ PRAYERFULLY

CHAPTER REFERENCE: CHAPTER 12: READ PRAYERFULLY

We have been equipped by our Heavenly Father with the power of prayer. This power is very much
needed during Bible studies. We need to learn this fifth strategy of reading prayerfully before, during
(e.g. when we are stuck and we don’t understand a single thing from verses; when we gain new insights)
and after Bible studies.

In our reference, Living By the Book, we were given by the authors two things under this strategy: (1)
Don’t try to imitate other Christians and (2) Do turn Scripture into prayer.

DON’T TRY TO IMITATE OTHER CHRISTIANS

Whenever you are within a particular group of people, you somehow gain terms or statements that they
use often in your vocabulary. While it is a blessing to hear Christians pray over and over again, warning
though that you might end up using the same set of statements and terms that they use when you
pray… sad thing about it is that you somehow lose the sincerity behind that prayer.

Prayer should be as lead by the Holy Spirit and not by focusing on using a particular set of words used by
your colleagues when they pray.

Interestingly, there are two sets of people identified by the authors who can teach us the most about
prayer. First one, are children. Children are very spontaneous and honest whenever they approach God.
They say what’s inside their heads and their hearts.

There is an interesting story about a child who prayed using the entire alphabet. The kid recited the
letters from A to Z. And then the kid said, “God, I know you know what my heart is praying for. I don’t
know how to say it so I recited the entire alphabet so you can put it together.”

This kid knew a very important point about prayer. It doesn’t require the most profound words or
statements. God looks at the heart.

Another set of people that the authors found to be good teachers on how to really pray are new
converts. An interesting story about a new convert was told in the book. Jim, was from the authors’
church, attended a prayer meeting and Bible study on a Wednesday night. Initially, Jim was hesitating
because he had a problem – he said he doesn’t know how to pray. Then, when it was his turn to do so…
his prayer turned out like this:

“Lord, this is Jim. I’m the one that met You last Thursday remember? I’m sorry I can’t say it the way the
rest of these guys say it, but I really love You. Honestly, I do. And hopefully, after I know You awhile, I’ll
be able to say it a lot better. Thanks a lot. I’ll see you later.”

Can you just imagine how joyful God must have been when He heard that prayer? Indeed, there is
nothing more moving than a prayer that is coming from the heart.

REFLECT! How do you pray? 

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DO TURN SCRIPTURE INTO PRAYER

A classic example to learn how to pray is through the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah – a highly placed
Jewish official in the Babylonian court -- has just been told that his hometown, Jerusalem, is in a very
difficult situation. Upon hearing that message, he responded by praying.

PARTS OF NEHEMIAH’S PRAYER

1. Adoration – First part of Nehemiah’s prayer, he adored God for who He is. Nehemiah recognized the
Person as not just an ordinary person… he treated the Lord highly.

READ: "O LORD, God of Heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with
those who love Him and obey His commands…” (Nehemiah 1:5)

2. Confession – Upon recognition of how holy God is, Nehemiah realizes how sinful he and his people
are. So he confesses before the Lord.

READ: “… I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against You.
We have acted very wickedly toward You. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws You gave Your
servant Moses.” (Nehemiah 1:6-7)

3. Petition – Nehemiah now asks in behalf of his people. He prayed for their needs. And as he is making
these requests, he prayed on the basis of God’s promises.

READ: 8 "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter
you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are
at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling
for my Name.' 10 "They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and
your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of
your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the
presence of this man…" (Nehemiah 1:8-11)

See how Nehemiah reminded God of His promises in verses 8-9? Why pray on the basis of God’s
promises? Because Nehemiah recognizes again how mighty God is and how He is faithful. As Nehemiah
is doing that he himself is reminding himself of the Person and that Person’s capability to fulfill those
promises.

***

Prayer is a great way to communicate with God. Just as to how He speaks to you through the Scriptures,
learn how to talk to Him as well through prayer.

REFLECT! Try doing these projects to help you cultivate the skill of reading prayerfully. Turn Psalm 23 ,
Isaiah 40:28-31 and Philippians 4:8-9 into a personal prayer. Insert your name in first-person pronouns
(e.g. The Lord is [your name]’s Sheperd, [your name] shall not want. – Psalm 23:1). Or try discussing with
God the things you need to practice in the verses cited at Philippians.

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