Nine Reasons to Pray with Scripture

A handful of years ago, I memorized one verse from the Psalms, and it’s been an almost constant prayer since then. The verse I learned is part of the readings in night prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours, and in that translation goes like this:

Show me Lord your way, so I may walk in your truth. Guide my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 86:11

I pray this several times a day for every person in my family (including myself); it covers so many bases. I want my husband and children to know the Lord’s way, I want them to walk in His truth and seek truth, I want them to know and love Him. Is there anything else?

In 2020 (yes, that year), I added one more verse: John 17:17, which is straight from Jesus’ own prayer. He prayed that as part of a much longer prayer, asking for the Father to protect his apostles. In the midst of the fake news emerging in 2020, praying John 17:17 that my children be sanctified in the truth.

“Sanctify them in the truth, Your word is truth.”

John 17:17

When all the world disagrees on truth, we can count on Jesus’ Word. He is the Truth, and if (when) nothing else makes sense, I want my children to be steeped and sanctified in His Word.

Now I want to encourage you to also pray with Scripture for your family. In my experience, it’s not too common for Catholics to read with Scripture, and praying with it is, I think, different than just reading it. So, my friend, if you’ve been feeling a nudge to “level up” in prayer, here’s my encouragement to dig in and use Scripture to boost your prayer.

• Tune your ear to the Lord’s voice.

Praying with Scripture tunes our ear to the Lord’s voice. He will speak love and truth to us, and also dispel fear and negativity.

• Root your heart in the Word.

Memorizing Scripture roots the Word in our hearts. Having our hearts rooted in His Word leads to greater peace and joy in our lives.

• Arm yourself against the devil.

Knowing and praying Scripture is one of our best weapons against the lies and tricks of the devil. Arm yourself with the breastplate of the Lord! (see Ephesians 6:13-17)

• Make space for Jesus to abide.

Jesus *is* The Word of God (John 1:1, 14). When we memorize Scripture, his words abide in us. He desires this for us!

• Learn to ask in His name.

Jesus assures in that when we ask in His name (John 14:14, John 15:16), our prayers will be answered. What a great promise!

• Our lives will bear fruit.

He also says that when we remain in His love, our lives will bear fruit, glorifying God. (John 15:7-8; 16)

• Invite the Holy Spirit in.

When we pray Scripture for our family, we invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in our home and have an active presence in our family life.

• One verse can kick-start a conversation.

With one verse, we start a conversation with the Lord and bring more specific concerns to Him. When we start in the Word, our hearts are already tuned in for His voice and His answer. We open our hearts to conversing with Him!

Are you ready to pray with Scripture?

If you’re feeling excited now that you’ve read those 9 reasons, I’m so pumped! If you’re feeling excited but unsure how to begin, I’m still pumped for you! I have a new guide just for you.

In this guide, I tell you not only what got me started praying this way, but how YOU can also start praying with Scripture, TODAY.

Yup, today. It’s quick and easy, because I selected 15 verses already + designed frame-able printables for you. Why printables? Because that way you can display one, a few, or all of the verses (you’re so ambitious!) and have that visual reminder to pray.

Why a guide and why not just pick up the Bible and pray? Because I wanted to make this so simple for you, and because reading the words on the page isn’t the same as praying with The Word. I’m convinced by my experience only, so take it for whatever that’s worth. My experience is that staying with one meaningful verse makes a difference, as the words sink deep into my heart.

I wrote the guide because I want to help you pray in a new way, and to pray intentionally with God’s Word to know Him better and pray boldly.

You can find it here on my site.