Praying Scripture-Based Prayers

We’ve already discussed and learned about the benefits and power of prayer in addition to some tips for how to pray (see the “Prayer” section on this link here). This week I’d like to specifically address scripture-based prayers. We’ll discuss what they are, how they are a powerful way of praying, why we should pray them, and how to make scripture-based prayers.

There is nothing new about these types of prayers. This has been a way of praying for generations. Additionally, we can see examples and instances of people quoting scripture in their prayers throughout the Old and New Testaments.

What are scripture-based prayers?

Scripture-based prayers are a type of prayer where we take a scripture or Bible verse and use the words from the scripture to formulate a specific prayer. Instead of coming up with our own words to pray to God, we just pray what’s already written in the Bible. These prayers are rooted in scripture.

Scripture-based prayers are essentially just praying scripture back to God. It’s a way of praying using Bible verses either in or to formulate our prayer. Furthermore, we can let the meaning of the verses inspire our thoughts and become our own prayer.

Scripture-based prayers are a powerful way of praying

We know from reading James 5:16 that prayer is powerful and effective.

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 (NIV)

Additionally, Hebrews 4:12 tells us God’s Word (i.e. scripture) is living and powerful.

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (NKJV)

Therefore, if prayer is powerful and God’s Word is powerful, it’s doubly powerful to pray scripture-based prayers!

It’s powerful to agree with and say the same thing as God

A couple of verses after we’re told that God’s word is powerful, we are told to hold fast to our profession (some versions say confession).

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” Hebrews 4:14 (KJV)

Definition of “profession” from the original Greek

PROFESSION: G3671 “homologia” noun meaning “profession; confession” (rooted from the verb G3670 “homologeo” which is a compound word derived from root words G3674 “homou” meaning “same; together; at the same place or time” and G3056 “logos” meaning “word, something said”. Placed together a compound= “saying the same word”.^[1])

Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says the word profession here means “to say the same thing as another, i.e. to agree with, assent”.^[2]

Therefore, we are holding fast to our profession–making sure we are saying the same thing that God says in his Word, in scripture.

Then, another couple of verses later we’re told to come boldly before God to find help. Note: We are doing this through prayer.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

So, I’ve been taught through these verses that God’s Word, scripture, is very powerful and that we are to hold fast to it, to say the same thing, the SAME WORD, that God says in scripture and we can do this as we boldly approach His throne to get help in time of need.

Additionally, Joshua 1:8 says that this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. We are to say it.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

Professing scripture and adding it to our prayers is very powerful.

Why should we pray scripture-based prayers?

We already know that prayer is powerful and effective. I’ve heard it said that prayer is one way that God has invited us to join him in his work. It’s a way that we can co-labor with God. Scripture-based prayers are a way of working alongside God using his own words and aligning with his will in the process.

Scripture-based prayers align our requests with God’s will

When we use God’s own words by praying scripture-based prayers, we’re aligning ourselves with God and his heart. By doing this we are also praying according to his will. Scripture-based prayers can be a helpful way to ensure that our prayers are shaped by God’s Word.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (ESV)

The Holy Spirit will also help us by reminding us or leading us to scripture(s) that are in line with God’s will.

“And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” Romans 8:27 (NLT)

They help us when we don’t know what to pray

These kinds of prayers are helpful when we don’t know what or how to pray for some situations. We use the Bible and allow God’s words to act as our prayer. (*More here on how prewritten prayers can be helpful.)

They remind us of who God is, keep our focus on him, and give us strength and hope

Using scripture in prayer reminds us of who God is and his character, nature, and faithfulness. It helps us maintain our attention and focus on God. Because of these reminders we are strengthened. God’s Word gives us strength and hope.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

“The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give strength to his people…” Psalm 19:7a (ERV)

“I am weary from grief; strengthen me through your word.” Psalm 119:28 (CSB)

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” Romans 15:4 (NLT)

They are a form of spiritual warfare

Praying scripture is an effective tactic of spiritual warfare. The Word of God is our most powerful weapon against Satan. It is called the “sword of the Spirit”. Jesus himself used scripture when dealing with the enemy (*see Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13).

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)

“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

“The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 (AMP)

When we pray the Word we are praying the truth

God’s Word, scripture, is truth. When we use scripture in prayer, we are speaking the truth over and/or about a situation or circumstance.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NIV)

“All of God’s word has proven to be true. He is a shield to those who come to him for protection.” Proverbs 30:5 (GW)

God is watching over his word to perform it, it does not return void, and his word proves true

God is watching and ready to fulfill and perform his own word. God’s word contains power, and if he speaks something, it will come to pass. We are also told in scripture that God’s word doesn’t return “void”. This means that it won’t come back incomplete, unfulfilled, useless, or without producing any effect. His word will accomplish and achieve the exact desired result that God had for it.

“Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12 (ESV)

“Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12 (AMPC)

“For I the LORD will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed…” Ezekiel 12:25a (NASB)

“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11 (AMP)

“For the word of God will never fail.” Luke 1:37 (NLT)

“For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” Luke 1:37 (AMPC)

“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.” Proverbs 30:5 (NLT)

God tells us to put him in remembrance–He is a promise keeper

God also says in Isaiah to remind Him or put him in remembrance (to remind him). When we pray scripture and remind God of what he said, we are holding God to his word.

“Put me in remembrance; let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right.” Isaiah 43:26 (ESV)

God doesn’t forget…But he wants us to ask. He wants to remind US of his Word (to build our faith). He wants us to agree with (to say the same word, the same thing together) and stand on the promises that he’s made. In doing so, we remember that he is a promise keeper, and God’s Word contains his promises.

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:23 (KJV)

“So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word.” Hebrews 10:23 (AMPC)

“God keeps every promise he makes…” Proverbs 30:5a (GNT)

“…The LORD always keeps his promises…” Psalm 145:13 (NLT)

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 (NIV)

Romans 4:21 says of Abraham, a father of faith…“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.”

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT)

**See also Joshua 21:45, Joshua 23:14, and 1 Kings 8:56

God a promise keeper, and God’s Word contains his promises.

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What scripture-based prayers are NOT…

They are not a formula where we can punch in the right variables and get a guaranteed answer. We should not attempt to manipulate scripture to get what we want. We need to remember that context is important here. It’s important to be diligent to handle God’s Word properly. We should not abuse it. It’s imperative that we make sure that our scripture-based prayers are aligned with God’s will for the situation. God is not a vending machine and should not be treated as such. However, he IS a good father and wants to protect and give his children good things.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 (NLT)

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:9-13 (NLT)

Take Some Practical Steps to Make Scripture-Based Prayers:

How to make scripture-based prayers:

• Find a relevant verse in the Bible that fits the situation or that expresses the heart of your prayer request.

  • • First, pray and ask God his will for the situation and to give you a verse to fit your situation. Ask God how to pray and listen to reminders from the Holy Spirit. He can help you by leading you to scripture(s) that are in line with God’s will by bringing verses to mind or having them stand out to you as you read your Bible.

“And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.” Romans 8:27 (NLT)

• • • Then, see if any verses immediately come to mind. If some do look them up. If you know the reference, go directly to your Bible to find them. If you only remember a phrase, try typing that into either your Bible app or into a search engine like Google to find your scripture reference.
    • Next, you can also look in a concordance (often in the back of your Bible) or a separate concordance such as Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.
    • Additionally, you can do a keyword search in an online Bible or in a Bible app.
    • Google a keyword to pull up a list of scriptures having to do with that topic or with that word listed in the actual Bible verse. (i.e. “scriptures on healing”, “scriptures about finances”, “scriptures about protection”). Some of my favorite sites to use are Biblehub.com, Openbible.info, and Knowing-Jesus.com.
    • Use a topical scripture guide.

• Recognize the Context.

As you search for verses to use in your prayers, you need to keep context in mind. When you find a scripture or passage that you think is relevant to your prayer request, read the chapter and verses around that scripture or passage to ensure that you understand and maintain the context of the scripture. This will prevent you from praying something that has more to do with your own desires and not really what the Bible says. Do not attempt to manipulate scripture to get what you want. Context is important here.

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” James 4:3 (NIV)

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

• Next, compile a list of the verses that will best suit your prayer need.

You can write them down, digitally cut and paste them into a Word document, or copy them into the Notes on your phone.

• Finally, put the scriptures into a prayer format.

Use the Bible verse to form your prayer by using the wording or the scripture in your prayer. Keep a conversational tone and just turn the verses into a request. You can also pray the exact verse back to God and just leave blanks and fill in names as needed or insert your own personal pronouns to personalize the scripture or passage.

Additional Resources:

Wycliffe Bible Translators: Praying Scripture Back to God

BibleGateway: Praying Scripture

BibleGateway: Praying Scripture Resources

Leighann McCoy with the Prayer Clinic

Podcast Interview: The Power of Praying Scripture

A Prayer for Lost Hope: Follow This Example of How to Write a Prayer Based off of Scripture

**The majority (if not all) of the prewritten or guided prayers on this website are scripture-based prayers.**

What is your experience with scripture-based prayers? Share with us about it by leaving a comment below.

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1. “G3670 – Homologeō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3670/kjv/tr/0-1/. ↑
2. “G3670 – Homologeō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (KJV).” Blue Letter Bible, https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3670/kjv/tr/0-1/. ↑