Praying the Scriptures

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even…

You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” See, the Sovereign LORD comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs…

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Gracious God and Heavenly Father, You sent your Son to earth at a particular time in history, when circumstances were just right to fulfill your divine plan, as foretold in the scriptures. The law pointed out how we are sinful and cannot possibly keep it…

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by…

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Lord Jesus, You are our perfect example to follow. You are perfect, holy, mighty, loving, powerful, eternal and too beautiful to be limited by the adjectives we can muster to describe you. And yet you humbled yourself by being born in a stable, raised by a poor family, dismissed, maligned,…

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Gracious God and most Heavenly Father, You are with us. You are near us and ready to answer our prayers, so we need not be anxious about anything. We can come to you…

With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?…

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. We humbly thank you for your gracious gift of saving faith. We are unworthy and unable to please you on our own. Thank you for sending your dear Son, Jesus, to do the work of perfect obedience for us, to shelter us from your wrath, and to…

I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Gracious God and Heavenly Father, It is such a comfort to know that you have a purpose for us and that you…

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Gracious God and Heavenly Father, On this Thanksgiving Day we have so many reasons to rejoice and be thankful. We are so blessed that sometimes it is easy; we have nice homes, enough to eat, we live in a beautiful country, we are able to worship in freedom with our church family and much more besides. We also face trials like…

When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Gracious God and Heavenly Father, The world tries to earn…

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And…