Sometimes praying can be repetitive, unimaginative, stale, or something weaker than an authentic conversation between you and God. There is a book I recommend called Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney that describes a low-stress, “language of Scripture,” gift of God that can bring God’s word purposefully into our praying. Renewal of our prayer lives is sure to follow with this described model.
In addition, there is a free app for smart phones called “Five Psalms” that can also provide handy passages each day for catalyzing deeper, more meaningful prayers. The Psalms are a good place to start because Psalms are like a “little Bible” containing every doctrine of the Bible and the entire range of human emotion.
So, as I prayed through Psalm 28, here is what took shape in my morning conversation with God:
Lord, You are my Rock. I lean on Your love for mercy and grace. Please hear and respond to my cries for Your provision. (I listed 5 specific and personal things that needed God’s provision here.) Help me to use my words with others with integrity. Help me to keep silent when necessary, help me to speak when appropriate, help me to avoid participating in gossip.
Lord, please prevent harmful actions from entering today’s circumstances for my family, my church, and my sisters/friends in Christ. Raise up believers in my community to have high regard for You, Lord. If I can be part of that process, please include me. Thank you for giving me the faith to know that You hear me; You are my Strength and Shield; You help me and I trust You. You have given me the Refuge found in salvation through Christ, the best gift imaginable! Continue to bless your children, of which I am one, with Your capable shepherding. Thank You for carrying me through challenging days (2026 for sure). Amen.
A wise counselor once told me that her consistent prayer in ministering to others as a biblical counselor is basically “Just tell me what to do, Lord.” These things about praying scripture I have learned from her and I am grateful.
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