Have you tried allowing Scripture to help you pray?
You can try this: Read a short passage and notice what stands out. Then talk with God about it.
Start with a short passage
Choose a psalm, a section from one of the Gospels, or a few verses from one of the New Testament letters.
Read it slowly. You may want to read it again.
Maybe something stands out. Maybe the passage makes you think about something going on in your life.
Pray about what you read
If the passage is about God’s faithfulness, thank Him for being faithful.
If it is about forgiveness, think about whether there is someone you need to forgive or someone you need to ask to forgive you.
If something in the passage points out an attitude or behavior that needs to change, talk with God about that too.
For example, if you read about Jesus showing compassion, you might pray:
“Dear God, help me notice people today. Show me if there is someone I should encourage or help.”
You can keep it simple.
Make sure you understand the passage
Before applying a verse to your own life, look at what is happening around it.
Who is speaking?
Who are they speaking to?
What comes before and after the verse?
If something is confusing, look it up in a reliable resource or study Bible.
That can help you avoid making a verse mean something it was never intended to mean.
Bring your own situation into the prayer
Sometimes what you are reading will remind you immediately of something you are dealing with.
Maybe you are worried about a decision. Maybe you are angry with someone. Maybe you are discouraged.
Tell God that. You could pray:
“God, this makes me think about what happened today. Help me know how to respond.”
Stay with a passage if you want to
You do not have to read something new every day.
Sometimes it helps to return to the same passage for several days.
You may notice something different the second or third time you read it.
You can also bring the same verse back to mind later in the day. That is one way to practice Scripture meditation.
Use the Bible when you do not have many words
There may be days when you are tired, upset, or distracted.
You can pray directly from what you are reading.
If you read, “The Lord is my shepherd,” you might simply say:
“God, lead me today.”
If you read about Jesus calming a storm, you might ask Him to bring peace to something that is making you afraid.
Write something down if that helps
You might write down one verse or one thought you want to remember.
Or take a photo of the verse with your phone.
Maybe write one sentence about what you want to pray about.
Do what helps you remember.
Make it part of your time with God
Praying with Scripture can become part of your regular devotional time.
Here is a short prayer that can help:
Dear God, help me understand what I read in the Bible. Show me what I need to notice. Help me bring what I read into my prayers and into the way I live. Amen.