Prayer
Praying with scripture
Have you ever asked .. where do I start? How am I to pray with the bible?Well here are a few tips. If you get into reading a bit of the bible regularly, you give God an opportunity to speak to you.
Preparation.
Get space and time on your own, time that is just for you and God - no distractions, kids, phone. Get a space where you can be yourself.
The easiest way to do this, is to start by becoming aware of who you really are. God knows us through and through but often we do not, so preparing for prayer requires us to be still, to be really honest and open to God. This preparation is important, because the more we are completely ourselves before God the more room we allow for God to work in our lives. There is a very close link between getting to know ourselves and getting to know God. When we pray, we come to God as we are, no pretence or games and allow God’s Spirit an opportunity to come into our lives.
Oremus prayer Website
Anglican Website Daily Prayer Page
There is a tradition of praying with scripture morning and evening and readings are designated by biblical experts. The advantage of this is that you get to read bits that you would never dream of reading and over a year cover the bible very well. You can log onto the either site above and select prayers of readings for the day or week. So now that you have a quiet time and place, are willing to be open to God the next thing is actually allow God an opportunity to speak to you.
Read the passage from the bible slowly, allow God an opportunity to address you and draw your attention to something in your life or in the text. Notice words and phrases that catch your attention, Notice how you feel, what comes to mind for you.
DON’T RUSH TO FIND MEANING -
LET IT RISE UP AND CATCH YOUR ATTENTION
GOD LONGS TO SPEAK TO YOU - MORE THAN YOU DO TO GOD
ADDRESS GOD HONESTLY
Having allowed the word address YOU then PRAY FROM WHAT COMES FOR YOU. This does not have to be in formal religious words, address God from the heart as you would someone who knows, understands and likes you. Don’t feel you have to be holy or precious!
BE YOURSELF AND ALLOW GOD BE GODSELF
Prayer is a conversation that gets deeper after a while. Like all conversation, it takes time and honesty. But God’s Spirit has led you, to yearn for more in your inner life with God - that desire is the beginning, and once you get into the habit of conversing… you will get to know God better and you will be changed by that relationship. So take 15 to 20 minutes a day at first. You may find that this time begins to extend after a few weeks.
- Begin by being still before God and be yourself.
- Listen to the Word, God is not silent.
- Invite God into your life and you will be met by a depth of love, support, healing, purpose and hope.
