How to pray
How to pray Scripture: turn Bible verses into prayers for yourself and others
· 3 min read
How to pray Scripture back to God in four simple steps, with examples of praying Bible verses over yourself, your children and someone who is sick.
To pray Scripture, read a short passage slowly, notice what it says about God and what it asks for, then turn those words into your own prayer. You can pray a verse back to God for yourself or put someone’s name into it and pray it over them. It gives you words when you don’t have them and keeps your prayers close to what God has said.
What does it mean to pray Scripture?
Praying Scripture means letting the words of the Bible shape what you say to God. Instead of starting from a blank page, you start from a verse: you thank God for what it says about Him, confess what it shows you, and ask for what it promises. God’s Word “shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose” (Isaiah 55:11, ESV).
Is praying Scripture biblical?
Praying Scripture is how God’s people have always prayed. On the cross, Jesus prayed the words of Psalm 22:1 and Psalm 31:5. In Acts 4, the church prayed Psalm 2 together when they were threatened. And John writes, “this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14, ESV). Praying God’s own words is one sure way to pray according to His will.
How to pray Scripture in four steps
- Pick a short passage. One to five verses is plenty. A psalm is a good start.
- Read it slowly. Read it twice. Notice what it says about God and what it asks for.
- Turn it into prayer. Praise God for what’s true, confess where you fall short, thank Him, and ask for what the verse leads you to ask.
- Make it personal. Put your name, or someone else’s, into the prayer.
Examples of praying Scripture
Here’s what those steps look like with a few well-known verses.
Psalm 23:1. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (ESV). Prayer: “Lord, You are my shepherd. I’m worried about money this month, but You know what I need. Help me trust You to provide, and keep me from wanting what You haven’t given.”
Philippians 4:6-7. “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” (ESV). Prayer: “Father, I bring You my worry about tomorrow’s appointment. Thank You that You hear me. Guard my heart and mind with Your peace.”
Isaiah 41:10. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV). Prayer: “God, You are with me. When I’m afraid, strengthen me and hold me up.”
How to pray Scripture over someone else
To pray Scripture over someone, choose a verse that fits their need and put their name into it.
- For someone who is sick, Psalm 147:3: “Lord, You heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. Heal Michael after his surgery and give him rest.”
- For your children, Philippians 1:6: “Father, You began a good work in Grace. Bring it to completion, and keep her close to You at college.”
- For a friend facing a decision, James 1:5: “God, Ben lacks wisdom about this job. You give generously to all. Give it to him.”
- For anyone, Paul’s prayers are ready to pray: Ephesians 1:16-19, Ephesians 3:14-19, Philippians 1:9-11 and Colossians 1:9-12.
For more verses, see Bible verses about praying for others and how to pray for someone who is sick.
Pray Scripture with The Pray App
In The Pray App, each prayer card can carry a Bible verse, so the Scripture you’re praying is right there when the card comes up. When you make a card, tap Bible verse and pick one of the suggested verses that fit your prayer, or type your own. Verses for anyone come first.
Pick a verse for each prayer card, or type your own.
When you tap Start praying, each card shows the prayer, who it’s for, and the verse, so you can pray the verse over that person by name. See create a prayer card and the biblical prayer app post.
The Pray App is free on the App Store, with no ads.
Questions people ask
What does it mean to pray Scripture?
Praying Scripture means using the words of a Bible passage to shape what you say to God. You read a verse, then turn its truth or request into your own prayer, for yourself or someone else.
Is it biblical to pray Scripture back to God?
Yes. Jesus prayed Psalm 22 and Psalm 31 on the cross, and the early church prayed Psalm 2 together in Acts 4. Praying God's words keeps your prayers close to His will.
Which books of the Bible are easiest to pray?
Psalms, because they are already prayers. Paul's prayers in Ephesians 1 and 3, Philippians 1 and Colossians 1 are also easy to pray for other people.
How do I pray Scripture over someone?
Pick a verse that fits their need, put their name into it, and pray it. For example, "Lord, You heal the brokenhearted. Heal Michael's body and bind up his wounds" from Psalm 147:3.
Related guides
- Christmas prayers for dinner, family and griefShort Christmas prayers for dinner, for your family, for Christmas morning and for anyone grieving at Christmas, with Bible verses about the birth of Jesus.
- How to have a quiet time with God, a simple daily planHow to have a quiet time with God each day, a simple 15 minute plan for reading the Bible and praying, what to do when you miss a day, and how to keep it going.
- How to pray the Lord's Prayer as a guide for your ownHow to pray the Lord's Prayer line by line, what each part means, and how to use it as a model for your own daily prayers, with an example for each line.
- Prayer for anxiety and worry, with Bible versesShort Christian prayers for anxiety and worry, for night, before a hard day and for a friend, with Bible verses on anxiety and where to get help.