Have you tried praying the scriptures?

It’s one of my favorite ways to connect with God using words directly from the Bible. I have several favorite passages to pray, but right now I’ve been learning how to pray the scriptures over family and friends using Psalm 20.

My favorite devotional right now is from the First 5 app! It’s a free download with five devotions plus and audio teaching each week. I just finished a  study on Praying Through the Psalms. Several of the Psalms really spoke to my heart as God brought them at just the right time throughout the study. The final week emphasized prayers of intercession and included Psalm 20. 

Intercession is simply going to God on behalf of others. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we can boldly approach the throne of God through our relationship with Jesus. (Hebrews 4:16) Paul encourages us to make prayers and intercessions. (1 Timothy 2:1) James tells us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other. (James 5:16) Paul often asked his friends to pray for him. (Ephesians 6:19)

So many friends’ families, just like my own family, are going through heart-wrenching trials. My heart goes out to them, but often nothing I can do will really help. But I know the One who can help. So I appeal to my Heavenly Father on their behalf.

I began praying Psalm 20 for my own family and some dear friends. Now, I am also praying through it for you, my precious readers and fellow believers.

Read the Psalm below, then keep reading to see some ways I personalize it as I pray.

1. May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and give you support from Zion!

3 May he remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire
    and fulfill all your plans!

5 May we shout for joy over your salvation,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with the saving might of his right hand.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

8 They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.

9 O Lord, save the king!
    May he answer us when we call.

Personalize Prayers with Psalm 20 

 You can personalize how you pray the scriptures over family and friends by using specific names. Here are some examples:

Psalm 20:1 Lord, answer my brother in this time of trouble. Let Your name, the God of Jacob, protect him.

Psalm 20:3-4 Father, remember my friend’s offerings and sacrifices she has made for Your glory. Grant her heart’s desire and fulfill her plans. 

Psalm 20:5 God, we shout for joy over John’s salvation and in Your name share what you’ve done. Please fulfill all his petitions.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in wealth or their own wisdom, but we trust in Your name, Lord our God.

Praying the scriptures over family and friends is one way to draw closer to the heart of God as we intercede according to His will. We don’t know how He will answer, but we can trust that He will.

Remember, child of God, your Heavenly Father wants you to come Him in every season. He hears your heart no matter what words come out or even when you can’t find the words to pray.

For more on how to pray the scriptures over family and friends, as well as for your personal needs see the posts below.