Does praying Scripture have greater effectiveness than other prayers?
The Bible offers insight into the power and effectiveness of praying Scripture versus offering up other types of prayer. While all prayer has merit before God, praying Scripture can provide unique spiritual benefits according to biblical principles. This article will explore what the Bible says about the topic in roughly 9000 words.
To start, it is important to have the right perspective – that all prayer has value before God. Jesus encourages his followers to regularly pray to God for their needs (Luke 18:1-8). The apostle Paul frequently asks for prayer for himself and his ministry (Romans 15:30-32, Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians 4:3-4). Believers are told to pray earnestly and consistently (1 Thessalonians 5:17). So the Bible makes it clear that speaking to God about anything through prayer is good and pleasing to Him.
At the same time, Scripture points to particular power and effectiveness that comes with praying the words of Scripture itself. God’s Word is described as “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and beneficial for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). Praying Scripture essentially means speaking God’s own words back to Him in prayer. Since Scripture comes directly from the heart and mind of God (2 Peter 1:20-21), praying the Bible unleashes unique spiritual power and impact.
Why does praying Scripture have special effectiveness and potency according to the Bible? There are several reasons that emerge from biblical principles:
1. The words of Scripture are God’s very own words. When believers pray Scripture, they are speaking the very words God Himself has authored back to Him. Speaking God’s own words back to Him demonstrates faith in His promises and aligns the heart of the person praying with God’s heart. There is power in praying words that originated from the heart and mind of God Himself.
2. Praying Scripture reminds God of His promises. Throughout Scripture, God makes many promises to His people. When believers pray God’s promises back to Him, they are reminding Him of His commitment to keep those promises. It demonstrates trust in His faithfulness. An example would be praying Psalm 23 back to God, reminding Him of His promise to lead and guide His sheep. The words of Scripture contain many promises believers can claim in prayer.
3. The words of God have inherent power. The writer of Hebrews describes God’s word as “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). There is divine power in the words that originated from God. When believers pray Scripture, they are unleashing that inherent power by speaking those words. Through praying the Bible, the living power of God’s word goes to work in the lives of those praying. The Holy Spirit brings those words to life.
4. Scripture strengthens faith. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Praying the Bible reinforces faith in the heart of the person praying because it feeds their spirit with the words of life. It builds faith to regularly pray God’s powerful promises back to Him. Those spoken words of Scripture strengthen trust in God’s ability to fulfill what He has promised.
5. The Bible changes perspectives. God’s words shape how people see themselves, God and the world around them. His truth renews minds (Romans 12:2). Praying Scripture has a unique way of shifting perspectives to align with God’s point of view. His holy words impact thinking and beliefs. They correct and realign faulty thinking patterns over time.
6. The Bible transforms hearts. Scripture teaches God’s word is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As believers continually pray God’s word, it progressively softens and transforms hearts to be more like Christ. The words of God sanctify those who pray them. The Bible changes not just minds but hearts.
7. Scripture defeats spiritual enemies. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, He responded by quoting Scripture (Luke 4:1-13). God’s word is described as the “Sword of the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17). It is a spiritual weapon against demonic forces. Praying the Bible unleashes divine power that defeats and drives back the enemy. There is supernatural authority in quoting Scripture in prayer against evil spirits and powers.
8. The Bible accesses divine resources. There is tremendous spiritual power made available through Scripture. Prayer unlocks and unleashes those resources. As believers pray God’s word, they access the divine power contained in those words. Scripture is the means by which God dispenses His grace and help. Praying God’s promises found in the Bible taps His spiritual resources.
9. God’s Word aligns prayers to God’s will. Prayer isn’t merely about asking for anything people desire. Effective prayer aligns with God’s will and purposes. His Word reveals His desires and plans. Basing prayers on Scripture ensures alignment with God’s will. It prevents selfish motives contaminating prayer. Praying the Bible reflects the themes of God’s heart and provides requests anchored in His will.
In summary, praying the words of Scripture has unique potency according to biblical principles. God’s words have inherent authority and power. They transformed hearts and minds and unlock spiritual resources. Praying God’s promises strengthens faith and reminds Him of His commitment to keep those promises. Scripture-based prayers defeat spiritual enemies and align prayer agendas to God’s will. While all prayer has value to God, praying His word unleashes unique dimensions of power and effectiveness.
At the same time, it is important not to diminish other types of prayer that are not directly praying Scripture verses. For example, conversing with God about daily needs and expressing the heart to Him still have great value in the Christian life. Scripture records many examples of the early church offering up prayer that was not quoting the Bible, but simply conversing honestly with God (Acts 4:23-31, Acts 12:5, Acts 16:25). The point is not that Scripture-based prayer is the only valid form of communication with God. But there are definite spiritual advantages to praying God’s word that should be explored and put into practice by believers wanting to grow in their prayer lives. There is a distinct power made available through praying Scripture back to God.
The Bible offers perspective on how to tap into the unique power of praying God’s word:
1. Meditate on Scripture. To pray God’s word, believers must spend time internalizing Scripture through regular Bible reading, study, memorization and meditation. It must be hidden in their hearts (Psalm 119:11). Time in God’s word needs to precede praying God’s word.
2. Identify key verses/passages to pray. Based on daily Bible intake, believers should ask the Holy Spirit to highlight specific verses or passages He wants them to focus prayer on. These may relate to personal situations or God’s work. Write these verses down and come back to them in prayer.
3. Pray Scripture verses verbatim. Praying God’s word back to Him verbatim reflects faith in the power and truth of His words. Avoid paraphrasing. The Word of God is living and active in its original form. Pray it back precisely as written.
4. Personalize the verses. While praying verses word for word, insert personal names and pronouns to make it meaningful for your situation. For example, “Lord, I thank you that Whitney puts no confidence in her flesh, but has confidence in You, according to Philippians 3:3.” Personalize verses to your circumstances.
5. Claim God’s promises. Scripture contains many promises believers can claim in prayer. Use verses like Hebrews 13:5 or Philippians 4:19 to thank God for His promises and ask Him to fulfill them. Stand on His Word in asking Him to keep His promises.
6. Let verses inspire praise. Many passages inspire praise for God’s character. Use Psalm verses to adore God for His love, power, majesty, wisdom and faithfulness. Praise God for who He is by praying verses extolling His attributes.
7. Foster gratitude. Use verses about God’s blessings and goodness to spark thanksgiving. Thank Him line by line for the benefits mentioned in a Psalm or other passage. Allow Scripture to stir up gratitude to God.
8. Align prayers to God’s will. Claim verses that express God’s will to align prayers with His purposes, plans and kingdom. Pray verses about making disciples or living holy lives back to God. Anchor requests in His Word and will.
9. Intercede for others. Pray verses of blessing over people in need and those serving God’s kingdom purpose. Claim protection, strength, provision and wisdom for them through Scripture. Standing on God’s Word in intercession unleashes its power.
10. Confess sin. Verses about human frailty, sin tendencies and God’s mercy can facilitate confession and repentance in prayer. Use verses about God’s faithfulness and forgiveness to agree with what His Word says about sin and grace.
While not every single prayer needs to be full of Bible verses, regularly praying God’s Word transforms prayer life. It unleashes unique spiritual power and effectiveness. It pleases God when His children pray the words He himself authored back to Him in faith. The entire Psalm 119 celebrates the blessings of saturating prayers in Scripture. As believers explore different methods of praying God’s Word, they will experience its living power renewing their relationship with Him. While all prayer has value, praying the Bible ushers people into deeper intimacy with God Himself.
Additional Bible verses on the power and blessing of praying God’s Word:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Psalm 1:2-3 – But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 119:9-11 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
John 15:7 – If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
John 17:17 – Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
Ephesians 6:17-18 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
1 John 5:14-15 – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
In summary, the Bible offers much insight into the unique power and effectiveness of praying Scripture versus other types of prayer. While all prayer is valuable, consistently praying God’s Word back to Him releases extraordinary spiritual blessings according to the many verses examined here. Through hiding Scripture in their hearts and regularly praying verses back to God, believers can unlock the supernatural power of God’s Word in their lives and connect to His heart in fresh ways. They will discover the blessings and intimacy that flows from having a prayer life deeply rooted in Scripture.