Some folks are looking for Bible Verses to pray with. I've got good news: there are entire books of the Bible that are filled with verses to pray with! The Book of Psalms is the Bible's prayer book, and its pages are filled with prayers and celebration, praise and mourning.
Bible Verses to Pray With: An Example Using Psalm 13
The best way to learn to pray the Scripture is to actually do it! Try the verses below, and practice praying with these verses from Psalm 13.
Prayer for Illumination
Father, I long to be in your holy presence. Sit beside me as I learn. Bring understanding to my mind as your teachings are revealed to me. Amen.
Scriptures to Pray With: Psalm 13
Psalm 13 is another psalm of lament and is as brutally honest as it gets. The question posed to God, “How long?” is found multiple times in Scripture. We also see in this psalm a pattern repeated in the Psalter: from pain to praise; from fear to faith; from questioning God to trusting God; from feeling distant from God to declaring God's goodness. All the while, the circumstances of the psalmist remain unchanged, but worship changes his perspective.
Using the ACTS model of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, read through Psalm 13 and then pray the following:
Adoration
Look for anything that tells you what God is like or points to His character and give Him praise.
“Father, I praise you that you are my God” (13:2).
“Father, I praise you because you are trustworthy” (13:5).
“Father, I praise you because you are a God of steadfast love” (13:5).
“Father, I praise you because you are the source of my salvation” (13:5).
“Father, I will praise you, sing to you, and worship you because you have been good to me” (13:6).
For a video giving you Bible verses to pray with from Psalm 13, use this video with peaceful music:
Confession
As you acknowledge who God is and adore Him for all that He is, confession is a natural consequence. This is a moment of introspection as you ask God to search your heart for areas that displease Him.
Confess ways in which you may have failed to trust God.
Confess ways in which you may have failed to praise God.
Confess ways in which you may have forgotten God.
Thanksgiving
This is a time to express gratitude for what God has done and for who He is. Allow the Scripture you have read to feed your thanksgiving.
“Father, I thank you that you will never forget me, even when I feel like you have” (13:1).
“Thank you, God, that you allow me to be brutally honest towards you.”
Thank you for all the ways you have been good to me… (be specific and think of ways God has shown his goodness towards you…)
Supplication
In this moment, pray for yourself and others that you will be able to put into practice what you have read and heard.
What emotions and frustrations are you having? What disappointments are you dealing with? Express them to the Lord.
Ask the Lord to help you in your situation and to help you find trust in Him through your pain and questions.
“Father, I need your steadfast love today as I deal with……”
“Father, show your steadfast love to ________ (name) today as they deal with…….”
“Father, I confess my heart often asks, ‘How long?’ when I think about…… Give me a deeper trust in you.”
Hymn of Reflection
How long will you forget me, Lord? Shall it forever be? O how long shall it be that you will hide your face from me? How long take counsel in my soul, with sorrow deep in me? How long exalted over me shall be my enemy? O Lord my God, consider me and answer my complaint. My eyes enlighten, lest the sleep of death should make me faint. So that no enemy should say, "Against him I prevailed." Or those that trouble me rejoice, when I am moved and failed. But I have set my confidence upon your steadfast love. My heart within me shall rejoice at rescue from above. I will unto the Lord my God sing praises cheerfully, because He has His bounty shown to me abundantly.
Closing Prayer
Father, this we know for sure: Your steadfast love for us in the gospel is unquestionable and inexhaustible. Though our rejoicing and singing may presently be reduced to a still, small voice, we bless you for dealing bountifully with us through finished work of Jesus. This pain, heartache, and season soon will pass. May soon be sooner. Until then, we unabashedly and unhesitatingly proclaim, we are your beloved children and you are our grace-full God.
Want to Continue Praying the Psalms?
Use this button to continue on to Praying Psalm 16.
Are you a Pastor who wants to lead your new Christians to learn Spiritual disciplines?
You will want to check out this 21-day challenge, called "How to Pray the Psalms" from NewStart Discipleship Resources. To get the workbook and all videos, along with an unlimited printing license, visit NewStart Discipleship.
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