Pray-Reading is Scriptural

Raptor · 08-20-2019, 01:51 PM

ZNPaaneah started a thread about pray-reading as documented in the book, “Lord Thou Saidst…” I really encourage you to get that book, like ZNP wrote, “This book is very strong biblical and historical evidence to support the practice of pray reading the word of God”. In my experience, by pray-reading you turn the logos into rhema in your spirit and you offer rhema to God in the Spirit. I have found 15 different articles/videos/books by non Local Church believers talking and teaching about pray-reading. I will be posting the links with samples if anybody is interested.

As far as the Local Church practice of pray-reading: if the term “pray-read” stumbles you because you believe or experienced that the way the Local Church teaches and practices pray-reading is wrong, I encourage you to take off your Local Church glasses and consider pray-reading for what it is: reading the Word prayerfully and praying using the Word. So don´t throw out pray-reading itself.

The Lord Jesus encountered some very distorted practices by the Pharisees, for example the way they prayed and the way they handled the scriptures, but He did not throw out prayer and the word. Rather, He pointed out their mistakes and then taught the proper way to pray and handle the scriptures. If you think the Local Churches teaching and practice about pray-reading is wrong, find the main points in their publications about pray-reading and point out the mistakes. Talk about how in your experience their practice of pray-reading is wrong. But don´t throw out scriptural and healthy pray-reading. The Recovery does not have the copyright, monopoly or ownership over pray-reading.

countmeworthy · 08-20-2019, 05:51 PM

I have not had time to post much but I frequently read the posts. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments suffice to say.

I want to pipe in for a few minutes here and then again in another thread. So I too was taught to 'pray read' the scriptures when I first got saved and came into the LC back in 1975.

'Pray reading' helped me retain the scriptures. To God be all the Glory for what I am going to write next. People often tell me how amazed they are that I know so many scriptures. ( of course, I have written countless of scriptures on index cards and through out the day I speak the scriptures into me.)

At bible studies and prayer times I often pray the scriptures. So my prayer life is founded on pray reading. And I am forever grateful I was taught to 'pray read'. In fact, when I was taking a college class I used the formula to study a few times!! It actually helped me retain my notes.

no joke!! But I did not keep it up.

Fast forward, I do not 'pray read' as I was taught in the LC but I do prayerfully read and meditate on God's Word.

I often pray the first part of Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword,

My prayer goes like this: Thank You Father, that Your Word, Jesus is living in me. Your Word is active, powerful, operating in my spirit and soul through Your Precious Holy Spirit

Another scripture I often pray is Romans 12:1 present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

My prayer (which also variates) goes something like this: Father. I present my entire being to You, spirit, soul and body as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to YOU washed and cleansed in the Precious Blood of Jesus. Dear Jesus continue to transform me by renewing my mind purifying my thoughts and desires. Change my tastebuds so I hate what You hate and Love what You Love. Amen.

When I wake up first thing I say is 'This is the day YOU have made. I rejoice and am glad in it.' etc..

In recent years, I noticed Paul, John and Peter always start or end their letters Praising, Worshipping, Blessing, Honoring and Thanking God. Same observation with the Psalms. So I began following their pattern.

One of our all time scriptures we all know or think we do is Phillipians 4:6-7.

One day I left my pocketbook at the grocery store. When I realized it on my way home, I panicked and began praying fervently with 'fear' I had lost it for good etc... Suddenly Philippians 4:6-7 came to mind. I then told the Lord: LORD. You tell me not to be anxious, not to fear. Therefore even though I am fearful, I am surrendering my anxiety and fear to You. I pray and ask You place a hedge of protection around me and my pocketbook. But whatever happens, happens and I trust YOU to give me the Wisdom I need to take care of this matter.

When I arrived at the store, the manager gave me my pocketbook with everything in tact.

After years and years of meditating on Philippians 4:6-7, those scriptures changed my life..

This is just a part of my testimony regarding 'pray reading' and how God has honored my 'pray reading'.

Blessings to all.

Carol

JJ · 08-20-2019, 09:14 PM

I agree with you two and have similar experiences.
Mindless repeating of scripture .... dropped. Picking up the sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God by means of all prayer and petition... retained with joy!

Raptor · 08-21-2019, 02:35 AM

examples of other non-LC believers sharing/teaching about pray-reading. (not endorsing any group)

If You Don’t Pray, You Won’t Live – John Piper (video)
https://tinyurl.com/y5bd6pps
Take what you read in the Bible and turn it into prayer….Use the Bible and turn the Bible into prayer. Read, pray; read, pray; read, pray; read, pray as long as you want to or as long as you can.

Pray Reading the Bible - YWAM
https://ywamnashville.org/dts-prep-w...ing-the-bible/
“The Bible becomes my prayer manual. I will come across the promise of a verse like John 6:35. I will turn that verse into prayer. I will say “God, you said that anyone who comes to your Son will experience a fullness and satisfaction in this life. Will you release that promise in my life? Jesus come satisfy my soul, come and meet my desire for fulfillment and exhilaration! Help me to not look for this desire to be fulfilled with worldly things which will never truly satisfy me.” If you haven’t already, wake up before the demands of your day start taking over. If you are not used to spending a lot of time before the Lord take ½ hour and begin pray-reading the Word.”

ZNPaaneah · 08-21-2019, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

examples of other non-LC believers sharing/teaching about pray-reading. (not endorsing any group)

If You Don’t Pray, You Won’t Live – John Piper (video)
https://tinyurl.com/y5bd6pps
Take what you read in the Bible and turn it into prayer….Use the Bible and turn the Bible into prayer. Read, pray; read, pray; read, pray; read, pray as long as you want to or as long as you can.

Pray Reading the Bible - YWAM
https://ywamnashville.org/dts-prep-w...ing-the-bible/
“The Bible becomes my prayer manual. I will come across the promise of a verse like John 6:35. I will turn that verse into prayer. I will say “God, you said that anyone who comes to your Son will experience a fullness and satisfaction in this life. Will you release that promise in my life? Jesus come satisfy my soul, come and meet my desire for fulfillment and exhilaration! Help me to not look for this desire to be fulfilled with worldly things which will never truly satisfy me.” If you haven’t already, wake up before the demands of your day start taking over. If you are not used to spending a lot of time before the Lord take ½ hour and begin pray-reading the Word.”

Thank you for these references.

Sons to Glory! · 08-21-2019, 10:53 AM

I am most thankful for praying the word, turning the word into prayer, and just talking to Him with the word. This has become a 2nd nature thing. With the scripture devotional I use each morning (Daily Light), I just take those verses and get them into me, thank Him for what He has done, and/or turn them into little prayers. Very nourishing (aka the eating and drinking Jesus thread)!

In our business we talk about affirmations for people to use to sort of "reprogram their minds." And if I have the freedom with a particular class, I will tell them that scripture is the best "affirmation" of all to say over and over to themselves, to write it down, to tell others, etc.!

07-26-2021, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJ

I agree with you two and have similar experiences.
Mindless repeating of scripture .... dropped. Picking up the sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God by means of all prayer and petition... retained with joy!

Hi, I read about mindless repeating of scripture. I have a master degree in Health and Wellness, and I have taught in a school district for 9 years. I have been in local churches for 3 decades and I can say that never, never, ever, have once mindlessly repeated any scripture, but I do pray-read over God's Holy Word often. May other dear Christians find this practice edifying on their journey.

Nell · 07-27-2021, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, I read about mindless repeating of scripture. I have a master degree in Health and Wellness, and I have taught in a school district for 9 years. I have been in local churches for 3 decades and I can say that never, never, ever, have once mindlessly repeated any scripture, but I do pray-read over God's Holy Word often. May other dear Christians find this practice edifying on their journey.

Un,

Do you mean to imply that because you have never, never, ever mindlessly repeated scripture, no one else in the LC has either? Are you sure you didn’t slip up once or twice and let your mind wander just a teeny-weeny bit…in 30 years??? Sorry but I think you are exaggerating. Never, never, ever in 30 years is a long stretch.

Do you think we never pray when we read the Bible? We may not observe the LC “pray read” format, but I’m pretty sure we dear Christians find praying over our reading time edifying in our journey.

Nell

07-27-2021, 11:16 PM

Hi Nell, if I am praying and my mind wanders a teeny bit to think of something else, does than mean I am mindless? Seems to me that means I switched thoughts, but not mindlessness. Thoughts of believers may drift and wander at times during prayer, but this still is not mindlessness. No Nell, I have never been mindless and that is not an exaggeration. Social science experts would probably have some helpful input for a person if they have a mindless experience, especially if they are conscious, don't you think so?

sinnersavedbygrace · 07-28-2021, 12:05 AM

Amen, I agree with you Nell.

Ohio · 08-21-2019, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raptor

As far as the Local Church practice of pray-reading: if the term “pray-read” stumbles you because you believe or experienced that the way the Local Church teaches and practices pray-reading is wrong, I encourage you to take off your Local Church glasses and consider pray-reading for what it is: reading the Word prayerfully and praying using the Word. So don´t throw out pray-reading itself.

Raptor, thanks for pushing this forward.

Initially many LC practices were healthy because they were gleaned from the rest of Christianity.

Then pride crept in and distortions took over ... you know the story.

UntoHim · 09-29-2019, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opening Post by Raptor

If you think the Local Churches teaching and practice about pray-reading is wrong, find the main points in their publications about pray-reading and point out the mistakes. Talk about how in your experience their practice of pray-reading is wrong. But don´t throw out scriptural and healthy pray-reading. The Recovery does not have the copyright, monopoly or ownership over pray-reading.

Actually there are not many widely disseminated Living Stream publications covering the practice of corporate pray-reading, so it's hard to find any published mistakes to point to. My problem is with pray-reading as it is practiced in the Local Church. It is not scriptural, and it is not healthy. Proclaiming "Oh Lord!" before one word, and then "Amen" before another, and then "Hallelujah" before another is not found in the Bible. My experience of 40+ years (in and out of the Local Church) is that the corporate practice of pray-reading - as it is practiced in the Local Church - does not lead to the individual believers knowing the Lord and his Word, or true worship to God, which should be the goal of any corporate church practice.

There is a very good reason why many, if not most, Christians who visit the Local Church are turned off when they encounter corporate pray-reading - and it's not because they are moo-cows who are not used to the heavenly music - it's because it doesn't match what they have read in the Word, or what they have experienced in corporate gatherings and worshiping with legitimate, orthodox Christian churches and ministries.

Many of the references given by Raptor and others do exemplify "scriptural and healthy" pray-reading, but none of them are what I would consider even faintly close to what is practiced in the Local Church. I was in Orange County California for many years during the LC heyday of the 1970s. I "set my clock for 6 O'Clock" to be "right on time for the morning watch!" I was with hospitality from all over the country and the world - with hundreds of saints - and the practice of pray-reading was virtually uniform as I recall. I have been to a number of Local Church meetings and conference meetings in the last few years - still the same practice. Still not scriptural. Still not healthy.

I apologize to my valued and esteemed brother Raptor. I know it seems like I'm just trying to be contrary, but actually I'm trying to speak the truth in love as I know it. It seems to me that you and Sons toGlory! have tried to make the case that pray-reading as it has been practiced in the Local Church is scriptural and healthy, yet you brothers have not been able to make any such case. And I'm here to tell you that there is no such case to be made.
-

awareness · 09-29-2019, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Untohim

There is a very good reason why many, if not most, Christians who visit the Local Church are turned off when they encounter corporate pray-reading -

My wife worked as a teller at a bank. She made friends with the president's wife, invited her to a meeting, and she went crazy for the local church.

So she talked her husband and another bank officer into going to a meeting. They were behind me in the meeting, and when her husband saw the meeting, pray-reading, calling, and all, I heard him tell his buddy : "These people are a half bubble off level."

And he knew nothing of the Bible.

Sons to Glory! · 09-30-2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

I apologize to my valued and esteemed brother Raptor. I know it seems like I'm just trying to be contrary, but actually I'm trying to speak the truth in love as I know it. It seems to me that you and Sons toGlory! have tried to make the case that pray-reading as it has been practiced in the Local Church is scriptural and healthy, yet you brothers have not been able to make any such case. And I'm here to tell you that there is no such case to be made.
-

Well, speaking for myself, I made no such claim. That is, "pray-reading as it has been practiced in the LC is scriptural and healthy." No, while I think an argument for scriptural support can be made, I too feel that in many cases it has fallen into a rote practice in the LC. My testimony about pray-reading is more a personal one - I often do it on my own, but it doesn't fall into any set routine as such. It is just a way to speak the word to myself and the Lord, and through it praise & thank Him, ask questions, pray for things & others, and otherwise get His word into me.

BTW: I don't remember ever doing it corporately here in Scottsdale . . . but there's also nothing against it here that I know of (just as if someone wanted to speak in tongues or do foot-washing). I did witness one brother who tried to introduce it a couple times at a smaller gathering he was running, but it didn't catch on very well.

UntoHim · 09-30-2019, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

No, while I think an argument for scriptural support can be made, I too feel that in many cases it has fallen into a rote practice in the LC.

An argument for scriptural support can be made? Scriptural support for what? For the kind of pray-reading that Raptor has referenced in his posts, and the Bonhoeffer one your just referenced? Of course there is scriptural support for these, because these are coming (for the most part) from orthodox, evangelical Christians. So that's a given. My point would be that what has been practiced in the Local Church has always been a rote practice. And this is why I brought up the point about how other Christians react to the pray-reading in the Local Church. Most Christians instinctively see it has an unscriptural and unhealthy practice.

Thanks for your clarification about Scottsdale.
-

Sons to Glory! · 09-30-2019, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

An argument for scriptural support can be made? Scriptural support for what? For the kind of pray-reading that Raptor has referenced in his posts, and the Bonhoeffer one your just referenced? Of course there is scriptural support for these, because these are coming (for the most part) from orthodox, evangelical Christians. So that's a given. My point would be that what has been practiced in the Local Church has always been a rote practice. And this is why I brought up the point about how other Christians react to the pray-reading in the Local Church. Most Christians instinctively see it has an unscriptural and unhealthy practice.

Thanks for your clarification about Scottsdale.
-

We're in agreement . . . it's the same general thing we've had to clarify with each other on this forum over and over. That is, something gets taken too far in the LC, and we then have to make repeated attempts to clarify that, what we're talking about, is not the extreme form of it the LC practices (i.e., baby and dirty bath water). To me, using scripture in genuine prayer is the most natural way to speak to God. Saying "Oh Lord!" "Amen!" "Hallelujah!" before and/or after every statement is not of the Spirit and is a dead practice devoid of Christ.

awareness · 09-30-2019, 12:15 PM

Anybody can pray-read or not ... with others or not ... in meetings or not.

If you want to understand scripture, personally I think the time would be better spent reading scholarly studies of the scriptures. But that's me.

The tragic fallacy is, perhaps, that it is an effort to connect with God. The tragedy is that it implies a disconnect.

Since it's impossible to disconnect from God, pray-reading is a superfluous activity.

But to each his or her own.

countmeworthy · 10-06-2019, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

To me, using scripture in genuine prayer is the most natural way to speak to God. Saying "Oh Lord!" "Amen!" "Hallelujah!" before and/or after every statement is not of the Spirit and is a dead practice devoid of Christ.

I am in complete agreement with you (and raptor) because I understand you guys completely. I was long gone when the LC/LSM began 'pray reading' the outlines or morning revival and such nonsense.

It's been a work in progress learning to tweek the pray reading I learned in the LC back in 1975 when we used the bible..but as STG wrote Using scripture in genuine prayer is the most natural way to speak to God. It is how we receive true revelation and understanding from God the Holy Spirit living and operating in our spirit. Praise the Holy Name of Jesus.

Bubbles! · 07-12-2021, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

We're in agreement . . . it's the same general thing we've had to clarify with each other on this forum over and over. That is, something gets taken too far in the LC, and we then have to make repeated attempts to clarify that, what we're talking about, is not the extreme form of it the LC practices (i.e., baby and dirty bath water). To me, using scripture in genuine prayer is the most natural way to speak to God. Saying "Oh Lord!" "Amen!" "Hallelujah!" before and/or after every statement is not of the Spirit and is a dead practice devoid of Christ.

Hey, didn't Jesus Himself pray-read that way? Didn't He even pump His fist with every word? I think that he even carried an ''elder bag!''

OBW · 09-30-2019, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

. . Proclaiming "Oh Lord!" before one word, and then "Amen" before another, and then "Hallelujah" before another . . . .

This is the part that baffled me. We are supposedly going to get the best from the Word by chopping it into disjointed words, losing the entirety of what the passage says in the process. This takes contextomy to an entirely new level.

countmeworthy · 10-06-2019, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim View Post
. . Proclaiming "Oh Lord!" before one word, and then "Amen" before another, and then "Hallelujah" before another . . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by OBW

This is the part that baffled me. We are supposedly going to get the best from the Word by chopping it into disjointed words, losing the entirety of what the passage says in the process. This takes contextomy to an entirely new level.

I do not remember the "Oh Lord!" before one word, and then "Amen" before another, and then "Hallelujah" before another when I was learning to pray read. I do remember that after some time in prayer meetings it was a LOT of ' O LORD' this and 'AMEN' that and 'HALLELUIAH' this and that.. and much of the prayer was about 'Christ and the church'...

No worship... no praise.. no thanksgiving..except when we were singing from the hymnal in particular during the Lord's supper.

countmeworthy · 10-07-2019, 11:51 AM

I think Ephesians 6 makes a compelling statement of proof that praying the Word aka 'pray reading' is scriptural.

Here goes:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

11 Put on the full armor of God......
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and

the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit,

So as an example of how I was taught to pray read, it went something like this:
saint # 1 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

saint #2 "LORD. We put on the Full Armor of God.
saint #3 Yes Lord. We put on the Full Armor of God.. that we may be able to stand firm.
saint #4 Yes! We STAND FIRM. OH!! LORD! WE put on the Full Armor of God that we may be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil.

And yes.. the saints would resound 'AMEN' after every phrase. Nothing wrong with that. But I don't pray read like that anymore and neither do I 'pray read' with people either. just my experience.

Sons to Glory! · 10-07-2019, 12:44 PM

And I don't see anything wrong with that either. Also: "Lord, help me/us put on Your full armor!" is something I would pray now.

Raptor · 10-06-2019, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UntoHim

It seems to me that you and Sons toGlory! have tried to make the case that pray-reading as it has been practiced in the Local Church is scriptural and healthy, yet you brothers have not been able to make any such case. And I'm here to tell you that there is no such case to be made.
-

Nope, second time you are wrong about that. First time I wrote about how pray-reading is scriptural, and you said something similar, which I refuted. This time I wrote about my experience and you are trying to say the same. I have not talked about the practice of pray-reading as a whole in the Local Church. You keep making stuff up and putting words in my mouth or misreading my posts. Seems like you are heavily biased about this issue and can´t read what I have written. To summarize, I wrote

1. pray-reading is scriptural
2. my experience of corporate pray-reading in the LC has been good.

Why don´t you start a thread like I suggested already about how the practice of pray-reading as done in the LC is unscriptural and unhealthy.That is what you are talking about, not me.

08-20-2019, 01:51 PM	#1
Raptor Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 414	Pray-Reading is Scriptural ZNPaaneah started a thread about pray-reading as documented in the book, “Lord Thou Saidst…” I really encourage you to get that book, like ZNP wrote, “This book is very strong biblical and historical evidence to support the practice of pray reading the word of God”. In my experience, by pray-reading you turn the logos into rhema in your spirit and you offer rhema to God in the Spirit. I have found 15 different articles/videos/books by non Local Church believers talking and teaching about pray-reading. I will be posting the links with samples if anybody is interested. As far as the Local Church practice of pray-reading: if the term “pray-read” stumbles you because you believe or experienced that the way the Local Church teaches and practices pray-reading is wrong, I encourage you to take off your Local Church glasses and consider pray-reading for what it is: reading the Word prayerfully and praying using the Word. So don´t throw out pray-reading itself. The Lord Jesus encountered some very distorted practices by the Pharisees, for example the way they prayed and the way they handled the scriptures, but He did not throw out prayer and the word. Rather, He pointed out their mistakes and then taught the proper way to pray and handle the scriptures. If you think the Local Churches teaching and practice about pray-reading is wrong, find the main points in their publications about pray-reading and point out the mistakes. Talk about how in your experience their practice of pray-reading is wrong. But don´t throw out scriptural and healthy pray-reading. The Recovery does not have the copyright, monopoly or ownership over pray-reading.

08-21-2019, 10:53 AM	#6
Sons to Glory! Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,617	Re: Pray-Reading is Scriptural I am most thankful for praying the word, turning the word into prayer, and just talking to Him with the word. This has become a 2nd nature thing. With the scripture devotional I use each morning (Daily Light), I just take those verses and get them into me, thank Him for what He has done, and/or turn them into little prayers. Very nourishing (aka the eating and drinking Jesus thread)! In our business we talk about affirmations for people to use to sort of "reprogram their minds." And if I have the freedom with a particular class, I will tell them that scripture is the best "affirmation" of all to say over and over to themselves, to write it down, to tell others, etc.! __________________ LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now Praise the Lord - HE'S GOT THIS!

07-27-2021, 11:16 PM	#9
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Pray-reading is scriptural Hi Nell, if I am praying and my mind wanders a teeny bit to think of something else, does than mean I am mindless? Seems to me that means I switched thoughts, but not mindlessness. Thoughts of believers may drift and wander at times during prayer, but this still is not mindlessness. No Nell, I have never been mindless and that is not an exaggeration. Social science experts would probably have some helpful input for a person if they have a mindless experience, especially if they are conscious, don't you think so?

07-28-2021, 12:05 AM	#10
sinnersavedbygrace Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Tamil Nadu, South India Posts: 4	Re: Pray-Reading is Scriptural Amen, I agree with you Nell.

09-30-2019, 12:15 PM	#17
awareness Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 8,064	Re: Pray-Reading is Scriptural Anybody can pray-read or not ... with others or not ... in meetings or not. If you want to understand scripture, personally I think the time would be better spent reading scholarly studies of the scriptures. But that's me. The tragic fallacy is, perhaps, that it is an effort to connect with God. The tragedy is that it implies a disconnect. Since it's impossible to disconnect from God, pray-reading is a superfluous activity. But to each his or her own. __________________ Cults: My brain will always be there for you. Thinking. So you don't have to. There's a serpent in every paradise.

08-20-2019, 05:51 PM	#2
countmeworthy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in Spirit & in Truth Posts: 1,376	Re: Pray-reading is scriptural I have not had time to post much but I frequently read the posts. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments suffice to say. I want to pipe in for a few minutes here and then again in another thread. So I too was taught to 'pray read' the scriptures when I first got saved and came into the LC back in 1975. 'Pray reading' helped me retain the scriptures. To God be all the Glory for what I am going to write next. People often tell me how amazed they are that I know so many scriptures. ( of course, I have written countless of scriptures on index cards and through out the day I speak the scriptures into me.) At bible studies and prayer times I often pray the scriptures. So my prayer life is founded on pray reading. And I am forever grateful I was taught to 'pray read'. In fact, when I was taking a college class I used the formula to study a few times!! It actually helped me retain my notes. no joke!! But I did not keep it up. Fast forward, I do not 'pray read' as I was taught in the LC but I do prayerfully read and meditate on God's Word. I often pray the first part of Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, My prayer goes like this: *Thank You Father, that Your Word, Jesus is living in me. Your Word is active, powerful, operating in my spirit and soul through Your Precious Holy Spirit* Another scripture I often pray is Romans 12:1 present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, My prayer (which also variates) goes something like this: Father. I present my entire being to You, spirit, soul and body as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to YOU washed and cleansed in the Precious Blood of Jesus. Dear Jesus continue to transform me by renewing my mind purifying my thoughts and desires. Change my tastebuds so I hate what You hate and Love what You Love. Amen. When I wake up first thing I say is 'This is the day YOU have made. I rejoice and am glad in it.' etc.. In recent years, I noticed Paul, John and Peter always start or end their letters Praising, Worshipping, Blessing, Honoring and Thanking God. Same observation with the Psalms. So I began following their pattern. One of our all time scriptures we all know or think we do is Phillipians 4:6-7. One day I left my pocketbook at the grocery store. When I realized it on my way home, I panicked and began praying fervently with 'fear' I had lost it for good etc... Suddenly Philippians 4:6-7 came to mind. I then told the Lord: LORD. You tell me not to be anxious, not to fear. Therefore even though I am fearful, I am surrendering my anxiety and fear to You. I pray and ask You place a hedge of protection around me and my pocketbook. But whatever happens, happens and I trust YOU to give me the Wisdom I need to take care of this matter. When I arrived at the store, the manager gave me my pocketbook with everything in tact. After years and years of meditating on Philippians 4:6-7, those scriptures changed my life.. This is just a part of my testimony regarding 'pray reading' and how God has honored my 'pray reading'. Blessings to all. Carol __________________ Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be *accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,* and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)

08-20-2019, 09:14 PM	#3
JJ Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 1,006	Re: Pray-reading is scriptural I agree with you two and have similar experiences. Mindless repeating of scripture .... dropped. Picking up the sword of the Spirit which is The Word of God by means of all prayer and petition... retained with joy! __________________ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NASB)

08-21-2019, 02:35 AM	#4
Raptor Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 414	Re: Pray-reading is scriptural examples of other non-LC believers sharing/teaching about pray-reading. (not endorsing any group) If You Don’t Pray, You Won’t Live – John Piper (video) https://tinyurl.com/y5bd6pps Take what you read in the Bible and turn it into prayer….Use the Bible and turn the Bible into prayer. Read, pray; read, pray; read, pray; read, pray as long as you want to or as long as you can. Pray Reading the Bible - YWAM https://ywamnashville.org/dts-prep-w...ing-the-bible/ “The Bible becomes my prayer manual. I will come across the promise of a verse like John 6:35. I will turn that verse into prayer. I will say “God, you said that anyone who comes to your Son will experience a fullness and satisfaction in this life. Will you release that promise in my life? Jesus come satisfy my soul, come and meet my desire for fulfillment and exhilaration! Help me to not look for this desire to be fulfilled with worldly things which will never truly satisfy me.” If you haven’t already, wake up before the demands of your day start taking over. If you are not used to spending a lot of time before the Lord take ½ hour and begin pray-reading the Word.”

10-07-2019, 11:51 AM	#22
countmeworthy Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in Spirit & in Truth Posts: 1,376	Re: Pray-Reading is Scriptural I think Ephesians 6 makes a compelling statement of proof that praying the Word aka 'pray reading' is scriptural. Here goes: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God...... in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, So as an example of how I was taught to pray read, it went something like this: saint # 1 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. saint #2 "LORD. We put on the Full Armor of God. saint #3 Yes Lord. We put on the Full Armor of God.. that we may be able to stand firm. saint #4 Yes! We STAND FIRM. OH!! LORD! WE put on the Full Armor of God that we may be able to STAND FIRM against the schemes of the devil. And yes.. the saints would resound 'AMEN' after every phrase. Nothing wrong with that. But I don't pray read like that anymore and neither do I 'pray read' with people either. just my experience. __________________ Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be *accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass,* and to stand before the Son of man. (Luke 21:36)

10-07-2019, 12:44 PM	#23
Sons to Glory! Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 2,617	Re: Pray-Reading is Scriptural And I don't see anything wrong with that either. Also: "Lord, help me/us put on Your full armor!" is something I would pray now. __________________ LC Berkeley 70s; LC Columbus OH 80s; An Ekklesia in Scottsdale 98-now Praise the Lord - HE'S GOT THIS!