Praying Scripture

If prayer happens in the lap of our Heavenly Father, reading Scripture provide the steps to climb into His lap.

The Bible gives us words for prayer. A regular discipline of praying the Scripture has been a pathway into deeper prayer for many. I have found the following texts to be helpful for that purpose. They would also be a resource to begin a memorization routine or for copying.

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Psalm 123:1

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalm 57:5

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86:15-17

For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:1-2

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Isaiah 61:10

Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult! Psalm 64:10

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster. Proverbs 1:33

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 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,… Ephesians 6:14-18

Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. Psalm 104:1-2

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19

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All Scripture quotations are from the ESV.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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