Professional Documents
Culture Documents
“Our prayer lives are often boring because we tend to pray the same old things about the same old things.” –
Donald Whitney
“Prayer is continuing the conversation God has started in His Word.” – Tim Keller
“I scarcely ever suffer now in this way. For my heart being nourished by the truth, being brought into
experimental fellowship with God, I speak to my Father and to my Friend (vile though I am, and unworthy of
it) about the things that he has brought before me in his precious word.” – George Mueller
“Praying the Bible is dwelling in the Word to the point that our heart catches up with our head that then
affects our hands.” – Derick Sherfey
Additional Resources
Why Should I Pray the Bible?
● Praying the Bible – sermon by Derick Sherfey
● Six Reasons to Pray the Bible – article and video by Don Whitney
● 12 Reasons You Should Pray Scripture – article by Andy Naselli
● Should I Use The Bible When I Pray? – audio and transcript by John Piper
● Reignite Your Prayer Life – article by Don Whitney
How Do I Pray the Bible?
● How I Started Praying the Bible – article by Don Whitney
● Tips for Praying The Word – article by John Piper
● How To Pray Using Scripture – article by Kevin DeYoung
● How to Pray for Half‐an‐Hour – article by John Piper
● Praying the Bible – book by Don Whitney
● Praying the Bible – 5‐day video e‐mail course with Don Whitney
Example of Praying the Bible
Colossians 1:3‐8 Example Prayer
[3] We always thank God, the Father of God, thank you for who you are. Thank you that I can call you
our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for Father because you’ve adopted me into your family as your son.
you, Thank you for putting on flesh and coming to dwell among us in
the person of Jesus. I recognize that apart from his sacrifice for
[4] since we heard of your faith in Christ me on the cross that paid the penalty for my sin, I would not and
Jesus and of the love that you have for all could not know you. Thank you for saving me by grace through
the saints, faith. Thank you for loving me when I did not deserve it.
[5] because of the hope laid up for you in Because of the love and mercy shown to me, I pray that you will
heaven. Of this you have heard before in increase my love for my brothers and sisters in Christ daily. I pray
the word of the truth, the gospel, that I grow in my understanding of the Body of Christ and seek to
promote unity within her.
[6] which has come to you, as indeed in
the whole world it is bearing fruit and Thank you for allowing me to hear your Word taught. Thank for
increasing—as it also does among you, you allowing me to hear the hope of the gospel at a young age
since the day you heard it and and for parents and grandparents that pointed me to you. Create
understood the grace of God in truth, in me a desire and burden to teach and disciple the children
you’ve entrusted to me as well.
[7] just as you learned it from Epaphras
our beloved fellow servant. He is a Your Word never returns void and always accomplishes the
faithful minister of Christ on your behalf purposes you have for it. I pray that it continues to bear fruit in
our community and around the world. I pray that others will
[8] and has made known to us your love come to hear the absolute truth of your Word and understand.
in the Spirit. Please grant me opportunity to share your gospel with John. Use
me as a vessel that speaks of your goodness and mercy and his
need for you. Make me bold and not timid. Do a work in his
heart to draw him to you. Open his eyes and ears to allow him to
hear and respond in repentance and faith to your Spirit.
Thank you again for those that you put in my path to pour your
Word and love into me. Thank you for James. I pray that you
continue to bless his family and his ministry. Grant him rest and
perseverance and favor with those he’s shepherding now. Thank
you for his faithfulness in helping me to learn about you. Thank
you for the gift of our pastors and teachers that encourage and
lead me now. I pray that you’d strengthen them in your grace.
Thank you for the gift of your Spirit. Thank you that you’ve not
left me to myself but that your Spirit lives in me. Help me guard
my heart and tongue today as your ambassador. I pray these
things and am only able to come before you in the name of Jesus.
Amen.