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Bible Study Toolbox: Prayer
Bible Study Toolbox
Prayer
When Paul prayed for the Ephesians, he prayed that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” and that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened…” (Eph. 1:17-18a). When we read God’s word, we’re not just learning facts. We’re seeking soul enlightenment. Jesus said not everyone would get it. “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.” (Matthew 11:25). “The disciples came to Jesus and said to him, ‘Why do You speak to them in parables?’ Jesus answered them, ‘To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.” (Matthew 13:10-11)
To understand the Bible, it’s not just about good study. It’s about a good heart. To most, the Bible’s message will always be hidden and obscure. Prayer cultivates the soil of our hearts and opens our spiritual eyes to see the fulness of God’s will.
A) Pray for understanding. Those who think they’re “wise and intelligent” won’t understand the Bible. We must admit to God in prayer, like Solomon, “I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.” (1 Kings 3:7b). If we come to the Word as an empty cup asking God to fill us, we’ll overflow with His wisdom.
B) Pray for focus. It’s hard to read when we’re thinking about 20 different things; prayer helps quiet our minds to give full attention to His Word.
C) Pray for an obedient heart. Stubbornness kills good Bible study. Good Bible study should lead to good Bible living. That’s hard. Sometimes we just want to go our own way despite what we’ve studied. Let’s pray for the humility to accept God’s good instruction and do it without arguing. “Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25:5)
D) Pray to be convicted. Let’s pray that God’s word will cut us deep like a two edged sword, judging the thoughts and intentions of our hearts (Heb. 4:12). God knows the hard truths we need to hear from His Word; let’s ask Him to tell us freely.
E) Pray to be changed. When we read God’s Word, we should never walk away the same (Rom. 12:2). Let’s ask Him to use the power of the Holy Spirit’s words to transform us daily.
F) Pray to know God. Let not a Bible scholar boast in his scholarship, or a man of many books boast in his commentaries, or a great memorizer in his lists; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows God. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
