Lord, Teach Me How To Pray...Scripture (w/Printable)

Tuesday, I confessed how, "God's Word can be so intimidating!" with its 31,103 verses. Wow. And we are encouraged to read, and pray and memorize its contents which can leave us feeling more defeated in the mornings...instead of empowered.

God, however, equips us in every way imaginable. This area not excluded.

When praying Scripture over my husband, boys, family, home, health, etc, the Lord uses four methods of helping me find Scripture to pray over my family.

The first two I discussed Tuesday...
1. Pray before you pray.
2. Finding key words to pray over my people.

And now the next two...

3. Trusty websites. I don't know where I would be without Blue Letter Bible. This nifty tool has been a key player in my understanding of Scripture. If you're not familiar think...concordance on steroids. Handy dandy, I tell you. I encourage you to visit and play around. There you can find a concordance for every version of the Bible (KJV, NKJV, NIV, ESV & more) which allows us to search more exhaustively. Sweet! Also study tools, devotionals, commentaries and dictionary aids are at your fingertips.

My blogsphere friend, Amy, suggested YouVersion. Which is also a great tool for reading plans, different versions, study notes and feedback with a Christian community. Very cool. Thanks Amy!!

There are also several websites that are devoted to praying scripture. While some believe that the world wide web is the devil, I take the stance that 'For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through him and for him.' Colossians 1:16. All things through him and for Him. Even the web. Even google. God is not offended by Google. It is OK to type "scripture for my children" in your search bar! God will bless and be blessed by your search.

My friend and neighbor sent me a "Praying for you children" link last week. Listen, run, do not walk, to your printer. This one is refrigerator worthy. Here is the link. Happy printing!

4. Go with what you know. Aren't there a few scriptures that you just know? If all else fails, pray what you know. Example, just about everyone knows, "Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

This verse converts beautifully into a prayer for your family. "Lord, today, I pray that Brent would be still and know that you are his God." Mmm. Powerful.

I have to stop believing that I should "do better than that." God is pleased with my desire to pray His Word. It doesn't matter if I am praying the Greek definitions or in the Amplified version. As long as I pray! My pride tries to convince me I must come up with something new. Not true.

After sitting in front of my blank journal and 31,103 verses in the Bible, the Lord started to ink my pages with passages for my people. He chose at least one, if not all, of these methods to get it there. Here are a few of the final results...

Brent: For the Lord is a sun and a shield, the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11

Brothers: May my children grow to find your word more precious than gold, than much pure gold, and sweeter than honey. Psalm 19:10

Mamaw: He upholds the fatherless and the widows and sets them upright. Psalm 146:9

Luke's salvation: Lord, let salvation spring up within Luke, that he would obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:10

Health: He, himself, bore our sin his body on the tree that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Lord, thank you for your Word! I pray the past couple of days have been a blessing to these readers! Let us all grow in the knowledge of your Word! I pray against intimidation or timidity, as you do not give us a spirit of fear! But of POWER AND LOVE AND SOUND MIND!!!! I love you Lord. Amen.