How to Use Bible Verses in Prayer

The Word of God is the core foundation of our faith as Christians. It is through the Scriptures that we get to know the way, the will, the principles, and the heart of God, as revealed through Jesus Christ. The more we read and spend time with God’s Word, the more we get to know who God is and who we are in Him through Christ. Praying the Scriptures can be one of the most powerful and effective ways of praying because they put you in alignment with God’s perfect will and desire, which is His Word. How do you use a Bible verse in a prayer? For instance, the Holy Spirit may lead you to pray about good health, so He puts in your mind a particular Scripture for healing, such as 3 John 1:2. This is how you can use the Bible verse in prayer:

Scripture: 3 John 1:2

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You, for it is Your will for me to prosper both in soul and in my physical health. Your desire for me is to have a healthy body, and to take the necessary discipline in taking care of my body. May Your will be done in my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

It is always best to partner with the Holy Spirit in all things that you do, especially when praying and declaring the Scriptures. He alone can guide you into the truths of God, the revelation of the Scriptures, along with their context, insights, and wisdom applications in life. Moreover, the Holy Spirit can sometimes lead you to Bible verses that are connected in their meaning and context, and you can use those Bible verses when praying for others. For example, when someone you know is undergoing discouragement and fear of the future, God can lead you to relevant Scriptures, such as Isaiah 41:10, Jeremiah 29:11, and John 10:10. Isaiah 41:10 speaks about God being with you in times when you are afraid and discouraged, and states that He will help you overcome; Jeremiah 29:11 reminds you of God’s greater future and the hope that you have in Christ Jesus; John 10:10 speaks about Jesus’ promise of abundant life in Him. When you pray this to someone, it is a powerful declaration, as it calls out the will of the Father for that person. You can pray in this manner:

Bible Verses:

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift up to you (NAME). You have always been so good and faithful to her. She doesn’t have to be afraid of what tomorrow may bring, for You are her God. You strengthen her and help her, upholding her in Your righteous right hand. Your plan is to give her a great future and greater hope in Christ Jesus. She can live an abundant life because of Jesus. May Your will be done upon her life, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

If you want to know more about how to use Bible verses in prayer, you can check out this article: A Biblical Prayer and How to Pray using the Scriptures.

How do you quote bible verses?

If you want to quote Bible verses in your writing, preaching or prayers, your choice should depend on how you construct your sentences and your style for using the Word of God. As the Holy Spirit leads you, the Word of God will impact and minister powerfully to readers and listeners. Here are some helpful ways for you to quote Bible verses:

1. You can put the whole sentence in words, along with its book reference, chapter, and verse. For example:

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. – Psalm 46:10

2. You can write the Scripture in your own words and then cite the Scripture reference. For example:

Jesus said in John 10:10 that the thief or the enemy’s work is to kill, steal, and to destroy, while He came to give us life, and desires for us to live life in abundance through Him.

3. You can also create your own idea or creative illustration that is biblically aligned and then cite the Bible verse. For example:

Some seeds take time to grow. For instance, sowing time with your friend will eventually result in a closer and deeper relationship as you both get to know each other better. That is why the Bible encourages us not to give up, because we will harvest when the time is right (see Galatians 6:9).

As the Holy Spirit leads you to construct and use the Scripture in prayer, there are many ways you can quote the Word of God. What’s important is that you cite the book reference, chapter, and verse of a particular Scripture, its idea and context, what and who was saying it, and the original audience of the particular Scripture. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom on how to apply the Scriptures in this time and generation.

What should I pray before reading the bible?

Reading the Bible or the Word of God can only be understood, truly tasted, and fully savored when you read it with the Holy Spirit, who guides you into the truths of God. If you are wondering what to pray before reading the Bible, you can ask the Holy Spirit to be with you, guide you and reveal to you the richness of the Word of God, which refreshes your soul. You can pray in this manner:

Lord, I am excited to read Your Word today. I am willing to learn Your truths, Your ways, and apply them in my life. May the Holy Spirit guide me, open up my heart, and liberate my mind as I read the Scriptures, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

It is always important to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, guide you, teach you and mold you as you read God’s Word. Before you can teach its message to others, God must deal with you first, so that you will have an understanding and accurate revelation of what the Scripture is about. Reading God’s Word not only feeds your inner man, but also gives you peace, security, comfort, and strength in times of discouragement, doubt, fear, and worry. 

Using the Scriptures for prayer, quoting them for written work, or preaching them are some of the best actions you can take to advance the Kingdom of God. When you partner with the Holy Spirit in your use of Scripture in prayer, heaven moves and manifests on earth. Since God is a Spirit and dominion was given to mankind on earth, He can use you as His vessel to decree and declare His Word, His will, His thoughts, and His ways.

As you partner with God each day, spend time with His Word in diligence, consistency and perseverance. May the Lord God use you powerfully and mightily in the name of Jesus.