Change the journey you are taking through prayers

1. Prayer to Change Your Life
Written by John Paul Jackson
The Bible is filled with examples of godly men and women whose lives were infused with prayer. As a
result, entire nations were changed, and the earth saw God displayed in power.
Prayer is the most mentioned doctrine and practice in Scripture. The command to pray is found 250
times in the Bible, and praying specific prayers is mentioned another 280 times.
I know that prayer can be an intimidating word for some of us. In the middle of busy lives, the thought of
prayer can make us feel overwhelmed. So in this month’s article, I want to share with you an easy way to
pray—a practice that has radically shaped my walk with God, and I know it will impact yours as well. It’s
called Lectio Divina, which is a fancy phrase that essentially means praying Scripture back to God.
A Closer Look
Something mysterious happens as we read through Scripture and use it as prayer. Lectio Divina is slowly
and deliberately praying the Word of God, allowing Him to speak to us through it. In the process, His
Spirit connects with our spirits. The eternal truths contained in Scripture enter our hearts, and with that
entrance, we are more than changed—we are transformed. This has happened to me over and over
again as I pray in this manner.
Lectio Divina is not a new, “modern” way to pray. Moses used it as he taught God’s people. He built
them up in the Lord by repeating and reiterating the things they already knew. Through Moses, the Lord
commanded the people to meditate on what they had learned and teach it to their children:
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them
diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by
the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.”
— Deuteronomy 6:6–7

2. Even in the Bible, people prayed God’s Word and meditated on it. As we unhurriedly savor Scripture—
thinking about it, praying about it, taking it in, asking God what it means—we remind ourselves of God’s
promises to us. We rest in His presence. Our minds are renewed, and we become more like Him.
Lectio Divina
Here are four simple steps to praying the Word of God:
1. Find a short passage of Scripture that speaks to you. Try to let go of any preconceived ideas you have
about the passage—listen with your heart and your head. Begin with meditation or silent prayer on that
passage; then read the passage aloud.
2. Read the passage again, this time listening for one word or phrase that reaches out to you. When your
second reading is finished, say that word or phrase aloud, and think about it. Ask God what it means for
you personally. What is He saying to you about it? Why is He highlighting it to you right now?
3. Read the passage again, and be open for a possible moment of grace when the Holy Spirit says, “This
is what I’m saying to you.” Then write down in a brief and prayerful fashion what you feel God is
communicating through the passage. What did the passage teach you about God, yourself or the
spiritual search you have been on?
4. Read the passage a fourth time. You might notice the reading sounds a bit different to you than it did
before, or that the passage means more now than when you started. This is when you and the Scripture
actually become one—and it is also when transformation begins.