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An abiding disciple is someone who learns to live in Jesus’ way, trust His promises, and build a life around His presence. That kind of life forms through habits; those daily practices of living in Christ and depending on the Father for everything we need. What if you could grow in two disciplines at the same time? I feel as though I’m re-learning how to do this in my own life—learning how to pray again. A friend of mine turned me onto a way to pray that invokes Scripture while using a simple frame to practice praying Scripture back to God.

First of all, why do that at all? Is it not enough to pour my heart out to God? David did. He even exaggerates to God, saying his tears are his food and drink (Psalm 42:3). Is that true? Probably not. Is that how he feels? Absolutely. Pouring our hearts out in tears and hurt is therapeutic, but it leaves us empty without a stable ground to stand on afterward. Spirit and truth are necessary. Vulnerability and hearing that God is for us are both needed. Conviction of sin and sweet assurance that we belong to God are necessary for the Christian life. Brokenness and reminders that He can heal broken bones are vital.

Praying God’s words back to God as we read brings health and life to our hearts.

How do we do it then?

The frame a friend of mine gave me, which I just started using, goes:

Reverence

Response

Request

Readiness

If we were to use Psalm 1 to practice it, what would it look like? Something like this:

Reverence: We revere God for who He is, what He does, and why He does it. We affirm what the Text says about God, to God in prayer. It might sound something like this:

“Father, I exalt you because you know the way of the righteous.”

“I thank you that you not only know the path that I should go, but you know where I am! You are the God that sees me!”

Response: Then we lean into those sections that bring conviction to the heart. Does the passage reveal icky, sinful areas of your soul? Respond accordingly:

“Father, I find myself more like the wicked, and not the blessed Man.”

“Father, forgive me. I am more like chaff than the tree planted and nurtured by your Spirit.”

Request: We make requests according to the passage. What does the passage show you that you need?

“Father, you said that meditating on Your word is a picture of blessing. Would you help me love your Word today? Shape my heart to love your word.”

Readiness: Then we ask Him to help us live this out.

“Father, You said that we would be strong. Strengthen me with your Word and Presence.”

I didn’t come up with this; I’m actively learning how to do this now. The guy who actually did borrowed the frame from the Lord’s Prayer. But it works. It works because it invites us to practice prayer joined to the Word. Are you going to try it today? Maybe with Psalm 1? Drop a comment and let me know what God showed you as you prayed it back to Him!

For more blog posts from Pastor Tim, check out The Bitz Blitz