I’ve heard someone say, regarding Bible study, that we should always approach the written Word with the presence of the Living Word, meaning that we should study the Bible prayerfully, in constant communion with Jesus. Without God’s guidance, our interpretations of Scripture can quickly wander into error and heresy, and so as we study God’s written Word, we ask Jesus, the Living Word, by His Spirit, to guide us into truth.
Perhaps you’ve noticed, as I have, that reading God’s Word can deepen your prayers, and motivate you to pray more. God is somehow mysteriously present in His spoken and written Word, and when God speaks, things happen. His words are never just words. Scripture says of itself that “the Word of God is living and active.” When we read God’s Word, it’s as if God Himself is there, speaking those words for the very first time, to us. When God speaks, His words hit with force, with impact, and if your heart is with Him, then you can’t remain silent.
I’ve been spending more time than usual in the written Word lately, and I’m noticing that it has affected my dialogue with the Living Word. I find that I want to pray even more, and that I’m gaining a deeper understanding of how prayer is a dialogue. My life, though varied, is limited, and when I’m talking to God only about myself, I quickly run out of things to say. God is a rich and unending source of mystery, variety, activity, profundity, and creativity. The more I let Him contribute to our conversations, the more fertile they become. The more I listen to God speak, the more my prayers become a response to who He is and what He is doing, the more my prayers become worship.
You’re so right, Cris. It’s great to read the bible as a whole and have a wide stance for general understanding. It would be a shame to miss out on that. But the true spiritual nourishment comes from reading small bits and allowing Jesus to make them real to you and relevant to your relationship with Him and with the body.
Cris,
I believe that God’s Word can and should be a strong foundation for our prayer life. I have begun writing a “How to pray” post each week. We should never be confused on what or how to pray for ourselves or someone else. The scriptures are full of insight on how to pray for ourselves, our spouse, our children, our boss, our friends, the lost, etc…
Using the bible as a foundation to our prayers also gives us a depth that is usually missing from our “give me” prayers. It will help make God the center of our prayers and transformation of hearts a priority.
Here is the link to the latest post: How To Pray The Beatitudes: To Be Poor In Spirit http://larrywestfall.com/how-to-pray-the-beatitudes-to-be-poor-in-spirit/
I’ll be posting a new insight every Wednesday.