The intake of Scripture and the practice of prayer are both spiritual disciplines Christians are called to engage in daily and diligently. Should we ever combine the two and pray about our Bible reading?Writer Kristen Wetherell, in "Unlocking the Bible," suggests that we can and should pray before we begin our study of the Bible.
She writes, "Reading the Bible before praying is like putting the cart before the horse. The proverbial horse is the Holy Spirit of God, who empowers and enlightens our Bible reading as we mine the depths of his Word. The proverbial cart makes up our willing eyes and hungry hearts, the Spirit-led choice to crack open our Bibles and pursue his everlasting truth. The cart must be pulled by the horse; our efforts to read must be motivated and helped by God’s grace and power. Christians come to God’s Word willing and hungry because he first made us willing and hungry to receive—but only he can enable us to receive. This is why we ask for help before we start reading."
Following this explanation, Wetherell offers 22 different prayers from Psalm 119 to help us focus on the incredible gift of God’s Word:
1. Pray for wholehearted seeking: Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
2. Pray for protection from sin: I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
3. Pray for opened eyes: Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
4. Pray for spiritual strength: My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
5. Pray for delight and longing: Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain…Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
6. Pray to fight lies: Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
7. Pray to live with trust in God’s promises: This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
8. Pray for quick obedience: I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
9. Pray for good judgment and knowledge: Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
10. Pray for God’s comfort: Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
11. Pray for endurance against the enemy: All your commandments are sure; my enemies persecute me with falsehood; help me!
12. Pray to depend on God’s enduring Word: Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens… I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
13. Pray for continual meditation: Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
14. Pray for God’s light to guide you: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
15. Pray for fear of the Lord: My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.
16. Pray for trust in the Lord’s justice: I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.
17. Pray for victory over sin: Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
18. Pray for joy in trouble: Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.
19. Pray for God to hear you: Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
20. Pray for mercy: Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.
21. Pray to abhor falsehood: I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
22. Pray for a soul of praise: Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
Lastly, Wetherell leaves us with this exhortation, "The cart may be ready, but apart from the horse’s strength, it goes nowhere. May we bring our eagerness and hunger for Bible reading to God in prayer, trusting him to strengthen us for every gift we will receive when we open our Bibles, and depending on him to change us in the process."
Scripture ministers to us like nothing else in the world can as we engage with God through its pages. Let us put down our phones in 2024 and pick up His Word each morning to "be transformed by the renewing of our mind" (Romans 12:2).
As we seek God in our daily lives, it is essential that we ask Him to guide us in all matters, perhaps even in our study of Scripture. Asking God for guidance as we open this gift from Him each day holds the potential to align our hearts and minds with the heart and mind of Christ Jesus. How utterly amazing of a gift this is!
Read Witherall's full article here.
Learn more about a Biblical perspective on the importance of a massive intake of Scripture from Christian Union's "Seven Keys to Kingdom Advancement" Online Teaching Series here.
Dear Prayer Partners,
As you may well know, Hanover is extremely quiet this time of year, since the vast majority of students are home for their longest break of the year. It has been a good time for us as staff to begin thinking and preparing for a new term with returning students, many of whom we have not seen in months due to off-terms, as well as new Bible Courses.
Dear HCFA friends and family,
Merry Christmas! I hope this season of Advent has been one of remembering and waiting upon our God who draws near to us in Christ. We are winding down here at Harvard, students are in finals and are beginning to disappear from campus. Since December is largely a quiet month in our activity with HCFA, I would love for you to join in prayer with us in these ways.
We have had a great inaugural quarter here as Christian Union Caritas -- Christian Union's ministry to students at Stanford -- launched its first West Coast campus! There is much to be thankful for this Christmas season, and we look forward to our continued partnership in what God is doing on this campus.
Dear Prayer Partners,
Happy Christmas!! It is amazing to think that another year, by God’s grace, has come and gone. As we bid farewell to our students, our ministry staff here at Yale have also undergone significant transition: this month we bid Chris Matthews, our founding ministry director, and his family farewell after 6.5 years at Yale.
Greetings from the campus of Harvard Law School!
As the Fall 2016 semester winds down, students are engaged in completion of their final exams. Based upon a high, middle, or low pass model, exams weigh heavily in the final grade students receive for their academic efforts. Students who hope to become professors feel even greater pressure to secure a high level of performance evaluation critical to future employment opportunities.
As we draw near to the end of 2016, we pause to give thanks and praise to God for his goodness and grace to us during these past months – particularly in our gospel ministry here on the campus of Princeton University. Allow me to share a few highlights from the fall months, as well as a few ways that you can be praying for our ministry in the month ahead.
The biweekly eNewsletter from Christian Union
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
— 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Throughout the books of the Bible, many promises are made. Some are specific to individuals or to one nation, yet many hint at redemption, salvation and blessing for all who trust in God. Once you start examining these promises, it is fascinating to realize which of these promises began as kernels in early Scripture, grew in significance as scriptural themes, and were fully realized in Christ and the Church. Many of God’s promises intertwine across books of the Bible in remarkable ways. This weaves key themes together through the Old and New Testament, and links the promises of the Bible to the present day and into to the future, as the Church carries forward with Christ’s Satan-defeating, redemptive work.
In a recent interview, D.A. Carson delves into the intricacies of the promises made by God:
As humans we want an explanation for the grief we experience in our lives. Of course, we understand the source of the grief itself, which usually manifests itself in the form of a personal tragedy. While we may understand the source of the feeling itself, we can't conceptualize the strange contradictions or the overwhelming sense of desolation which sprout from it. Erik Schmidt succinctly conveys this idea in his article ‘If You Are Grieving Read This’:The biweekly eNewsletter from Christian Union
And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
— Luke 2:10-11
Friends,
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the end of the semester here at Brown! These past few months have flown by as God has continued to work in the lives of so many students. Through our study of Mark’s Gospel, students have given serious thought to what it means to truly follow after Christ. Our weekly large-group gathering, The Anchor, has fostered space for healthy, Christ-centered dialogue on the topics of sexuality, politics, race and mental health – complex issues with which students at Brown are constantly wrestling and seeking to navigate as faithfully obedient and thoughtful Christians.
To our friends and partners in the Gospel,
This month here at Christian Union at Penn we have seen great growth and leadership amongst our students. It has been a sprint coming off Thanksgiving Break. These compact weeks have challenged students to find balance between finding excellence in their academics, while also working to keep a positive and effective testimony for Christ. They strive to see and live out God’s will while being saturated with worldly expectations. God has shown to be faithful through miraculous moments of encouragement and exhortation; we are very thankful!
There are sharply diverging reactions to the recent election. Some people are enthusiastic, seeing it as the beginning of a new era. On the other end of the spectrum, some people are despondent, seeing it as the beginning of the end. Either way, we need to step back and realize that there are pitfalls to being ruled by the emotions at either extreme.According to Rev. Charles Drew in his article ‘The Morning After’:
A recent article on Albert Mohler presented a question which was originally posed by Russian novelist Dostoevsky: ‘Will beauty save the world?’ Such a thought-provoking query cannot be answered without first defining the idea of beauty. This question can be answered in a variety of ways, and we might be tempted to imagine the sort of beauty that stares out from magazine covers. However, the article directs us to consider beauty in biblical terms, initially turning to Isaiah Chapter 53:
As we reflect upon the completed semester, we echo Zechariah’s prayer this Christmas season:
Because of our God’s tender mercyDespite the shortened daylight hours, God’s light has indeed broken over Cornell this semester. We have witnessed countless tender mercies and divine guidance distinguish so many students’ lives as they responded to the news of the election, to racial tensions, not to mention personal challenges through relationship breakups, preliminary examinations, labs, group projects, sports competitions, illness and finals.
the dawn will break upon us from on high
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
The biweekly eNewsletter from Christian Union
But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
— Psalm 79:30
Dear Friends,
Reflecting on the winter term that is coming to a close, we truly have much to be thankful for. Our Thanksgiving dinner last weekend was a huge success, bringing in over 130 students, including several who have not been involved in Christian Union. Since then, we have had a few inquiries on how to get involved in a Bible Course for the winter. The freshmen (‘20s) did a fantastic job leading the event. They worked hard on the fall decorations and the program for the night, which consisted of music, worship songs, 2 testimonies and some delicious food. There was even entertainment during the meal, provided by one ’20 who is extremely talented at card tricks. Overall, it was a wonderful night of fellowship and thanksgiving. We so appreciate your prayers for this event!
Dear HCFA friends and family,
Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all doing well. It’s hard to believe that the semester is wrapping up so quickly. We are in the final weeks of Bible Courses and DOXAs and students are beginning to eye their final exams in the first weeks of December.
It is exciting to write this inaugural prayer letter! Please praise and thank God along with us for what has happened so far this fall:
