One popular question in the church today is, “how can I grow in hearing God’s voice?” It seems like everywhere there is a growing hunger to discern God’s will and a faith that He wants to speak. When I first … Continue reading
Today is Easter Saturday. We know that Jesus was crucified, died, and was buried. After three days he rose again. What happened during the days of his death? Jesus said this: For as Jonah was three days and three nights … Continue reading
Finding A Lost Check Last year I found an old check. It had been folded up in a drawer when I had moved offices. For whatever reason I forgot about it and as I was re-organizing my desk, there it … Continue reading
I hope this is a helpful study resource to you as you seek to grow in your passion and understanding of Jesus. Kendall Laughlin, 2012 Continue reading
A few months ago I sat down to watch a movie with Shelly titled “180 Degrees South.” I was expecting an evening of relaxation and entertainment as I watched two hippie explorers head from California to Patagonia on a surfing … Continue reading
During World Mandate West this weekend I had the honor of presenting this seminar with John Lo of Epicentre in Pasadena.
Because World Mandate West is this weekend at All Peoples Church, I was inspired to write up this little blog on “How to have a powerful conference experience.” First, let me say this, I actually really enjoy a good church conference. … Continue reading
The Spirit who works sanctification in a believer does not do so all at once. There is dross with the gold, tares with the wheat. – “The Spirit of Revival” – Introduction by RC Sproul, Page 28 In Matthew 13, Jesus … Continue reading
One way that I get to serve others is as an outside voice regarding web presence and online ministry. Over the past few years, most Christian ministries seem to have realized the importance of a well-designed and thought provoking website. … Continue reading
In 2011 I set out to write 10 blog posts on prayer. It was a personal goal and an exercise in writing. This will be my last post posted “Prayer Upgrade” on this subject.
As I have worked on developing a life of prayer over the past years my desire and discipline has ebbed and flowed. Especially in seasons where it was more difficult to concentrate on prayer or too emotionally challenging to even know WHAT to pray, I found praying Scripture very helpful.
Praying the Bible is definitely more of an art than a science as it involves an ancient Christian method called ‘lectio divina’ or ‘divine reading.’ The main goal of lectio divina is to read a portion of Scripture several times until the words become your own. It’s a deeper kind of reading that allows you to meditate on the meaning of a Scripture, place yourself in a Gospel story, or visualize a story from the Bible. Through the art of divine reading, we read a text several times and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us personally through that portion of Scripture. Journaling, silence, and prophetic imagination are all keys to receiving from God using this prayer style.
The Bible also contains many written prayers. If one is struggling in his or her prayer life, an obvious tool to use would be prayers God has already included in His word (Don’t you think God intends to answer these prayers? His word never returns void!).
As I read aloud Psalms or Apostolic Prayers from the New Testament I read each line slowly. After each line is read aloud I then rephrase the Scripture into my own words, expounding upon the meaning of the text and making it ‘my own.’
Mike Bickle has a great list of “Apostolic Prayers” you could use to start praying the Bible. Another easy place to start is “The Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6 (how Jesus taught us to pray!). Reading a Psalm each day is also a helpful personal discipline that can keep us anchored during emotional times.
However you chose to interact the Scriptures, praying the Bible allows us grab ahold of the meaning of Scripture in a special way. Praying Scripture also transforms our experience of God’s word from simply an intellectual exercise to a supernatural encounter.
