1. Realize that there is a direct connection between the degree to which our minds are shaped by Scripture and the degree to which our prayers are answered. Jesus said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
2. Remember that, as D. M. McIntyre says, God only answers petitions that his Son has had a hand in formulating. “If we ask anything according to His will He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
3. Note that the early church prayed Scripture. For example, the prayer of Acts 4:24-31quotes Psalm 2. Also Old Testament prayers like Ezra’s prayer in Nehemiah 9:6-37 are rehearsals of biblical history and biblical texts.
4. Praying the Word means reading (or reciting) Scripture in a spirit of prayer and letting the meaning of the verses become our prayer and inspire our thoughts.
5. There are many possible ways to do it – not just one. It can be done alone or in groups. You can pause after each phrase, or each sentence, or each paragraph, or each chapter.
By John Piper. ©2013 Desiring God Foundation.
