Scripture commands us to pray and also equips us to pray.
It is in God’s perfect Word that we find the right words to lift up from our hearts to His ear.
My best times of prayer have almost always been with my Bible open.
Here is a great model for turning Scripture into prayer.
It comes from Thomas Chalmers Scripture readings.
He read the parable of the sower in Luke 13 and then responded with this prayer.
Matt.13 “The Sower”
When my Savior speaks let me ever be attentive to hear Him.
Let me give earnest heed to the things that are spoken—that, having this, more may be granted to me, and so as that I may increase in the knowledge of God, and be more and more instructed in the mysteries of His kingdom.
Enable me, O God, so as to apply as to find my own place in the parable of the sower, and read there what my infirmities and wants are. How often then have I reason to fear that the word does not light upon me at all, or become the object of recognition so much as for an instant.
But even when it does, how often is it on the understanding only, whence it slips from the memory, in a moment dispossessed or taken away. Or when it does make an impression on the heart or conscience, how marvelously soon is that impression dissipated among the vanities of the world.
O my God, let every plant which Thou hast not planted be rooted up from my heart. Deposit there the good seed and grant that—refreshed and fertilized by living water – it may bring forth fruit abundantly.
For the growth of the kingdom of heaven in my own heart, may this weak, this little faith of mine, be increased and strengthened.
May it overshadow the whole man.
May it germinate the deeds of new obedience and make them acceptable through Jesus Christ.
This day I have felt the preciousness of union with Him.
May He be to me as a hidden treasure.
May I abide in Him that He may abide in me and cause me to abound in much fruit.
O my God, let Him be unto me as a pearl of great price— seeing that he who hath the Son hath life.
May my union with Him be perfected; and give me experimentally to feel the force and significancy of those images which, though regarded as mystical by the world at large, are realized in the experience of advanced believers when they feel themselves united with Christ, as branches are with a vine, as stones with a building, whereof He is the chief corner-stone, as members are with a body whereof He is the Head.