The Lord calls us not only to read the Bible, but also to live the Bible. Part of living the Bible is to pray the Bible. Consider praying today's first Scripture reading. First, pray for "full knowledge of [God's] will through perfect wisdom and spiritual insight" (Col 1:9). Second, pray to "lead a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to Him in every way" (Col 1:10). Third, pray to "multiply good works of every sort and grow in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10). Finally, pray for "the strength needed to stand fast, even to endure joyfully whatever may come" (Col 1:11).
Consider praying this four-part prayer every day during the month of September, or as long as the Spirit leads you to pray it. You will not only receive the immediate benefits of the prayer, but also the inspiration to pray other parts of the Bible. This can revolutionize your prayer life, which will in turn transform your entire life.
Praying the Bible vastly improves our hearing of the Lord (see Rm 10:17), which will deepen our communication and relationship with Him. Praying the Bible purifies our hearts (Lk 24:32) by judging its "reflections and thoughts" (Heb 4:12). Through praying His word, the Lord will do more than we ever asked or imagined (Eph 3:20). Make the Bible your prayer book.
| PRAYER: | Father, teach me to pray before, during, and after reading Your word. |
| PROMISE: | "Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men." –Lk 5:10 |
| PRAISE: | Praying before the Blessed Sacrament empowers and motivates Charles to evangelize those around him. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College