Family Activities

Praying with Scripture

Praying with Scripture can be done alone or with others. When done with others, it can be a means of sharing more deeply the faith that you attempt to live out day by day. One of the ways God is manifested to us is through the Scriptures. When we prayerfully read the Scriptures, we open our minds and hearts to the Spirit of God. We can be both challenged and affirmed by the Word of God. Here are some different ways to pray with scripture.

Option One

Select a Scripture passage and then read it slowly and deliberately. Identify lines or phrases that stand out for you. Read the passage once, and then simply call out or write down the word or phrase that “jumped out at you.” Read it again, and call out or write down another word or phrase that “jumped out at you.” Conclude with a third reading. Spend a minute or two in conversation with God about what God is trying to say to you in the passage.

Option Two

Take a passage of Scripture and make it a first person reading, as if the lines were being spoken personally to you. For example, take 1Corinthinians 13 (“Love is patient, love is kind) and personalize the reading by inserting your name into the reading— ______ is patient, ______is kind..., etc.

Option Three

Create a "dialogue" between a passage of Scripture and a newspaper or magazine story or article. Select an article that deals with the same topic or issue as the Scripture passage or vice versa. Read part of the article; then read part of the passage. Return to the article and then back to the passage. Name your thoughts and feelings of how the Scripture passage relates to current realities.

Option Four

Pray the Great Commandment (Mark 12:30-31 or Matthew 22:37-39 or Luke 10:27) by making each part of the commandment a prayer reflection. For example:

Read, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart" and pause to think about how you love God and how you experience God’s love. Write down your reflections.
Read, "Love the Lord your God with all your soul" and pause for silent reflection.
Read, "Love the Lord your God with all your mind" and pause to think of ways God’s word has touched your life. Write down your reflections.
Read, "Love the Lord your God with all your strength" and pause to think of all the ways you do what God asks of you. Write down your reflections.
Thank God for the blessings of this time in prayer with scripture.