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Praying the Bible

Praying the Bible

by Donald S. Whitney 2015 106 pages
4.49
7.8K ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Prayer Boredom Stems from Method, Not Faith

If you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit—if you are born again—then the problem is not you; it is your method.

Universal Struggle. Many Christians experience boredom and mind-wandering during prayer, often leading to feelings of inadequacy. This isn't a sign of weak faith, but rather a common issue stemming from repetitive prayer habits. The problem isn't that we pray about the same things, but that we say the same old things about them. This creates a sense of monotony, making prayer feel like a chore rather than a joyful communion with God.

Spirit-led desire. The Holy Spirit creates a genuine desire for prayer in believers, a longing to connect with God. This desire is often thwarted by the lack of variety and engagement in our prayer practices. The Spirit prompts us to cry "Abba! Father!" indicating a deep, innate yearning for communication with God. This yearning is present in all believers, regardless of age or experience.

Method is the key. The issue isn't a lack of love for God or a lack of concern for the things we pray about. Instead, the problem lies in the method we use. When we rely on the same old phrases and patterns, our minds naturally wander, and prayer becomes a tedious routine. The solution is not to give up on prayer, but to change our approach.

2. Praying Scripture: A Simple, Powerful Solution

When you pray, pray through a passage of Scripture, particularly a psalm.

Simple and accessible. The solution to prayer boredom is surprisingly simple: pray through a passage of Scripture, especially a psalm. This method is accessible to all Christians, regardless of their background or education. It doesn't require special skills or knowledge, just a willingness to engage with God's Word.

God's words, our prayers. By praying through Scripture, we are taking words that originated in the heart and mind of God and circulating them through our heart and mind back to God. This transforms our prayers from a monologue into a dialogue, where God's words become the wings of our prayers. It's a way of talking to God in his language.

Variety and engagement. This method ensures that our prayers are never the same, as each passage of Scripture offers new insights and prompts new thoughts. It keeps our minds engaged and prevents the monotony of repetitive prayer. It also allows us to pray about the same things, but in fresh and different ways.

3. The Psalms: God's Words for Our Prayers

The Psalms: they are designed to be prayed.

Inspired songbook. The book of Psalms was originally the songbook of Israel, inspired by God for the purpose of being sung to him. God gave us the Psalms so that we would give the Psalms back to God. This makes them uniquely suited for prayer, as they express a wide range of human emotions and experiences.

God's language. The Psalms provide us with the very words God wants us to use in our prayers. They are not just human expressions, but divinely inspired praises that reflect the yearnings of the Holy Spirit within us. By praying the Psalms, we are returning to God words that he expressly inspired for us to speak and sing to him.

"Psalms of the Day". A systematic approach called "Psalms of the Day" helps us avoid random searching and ensures we encounter all 150 psalms. This method involves scanning five specific psalms each day and choosing one to pray through. It provides direction and momentum, making it easier to engage with Scripture in prayer.

4. Praying Beyond Psalms: Letters and Narratives

Open the Bible, start reading it, and pause at every verse and turn it into a prayer.

New Testament letters. The New Testament letters are another rich resource for prayer, often containing prayers of the apostle Paul that we can pray verbatim. Most of the content of these letters is easily personalized in prayer, requiring only a little transition. Every line in a New Testament letter suggests something to pray about.

Narrative passages. While narrative passages require a different approach, they can also be used effectively in prayer. Instead of focusing on individual verses, we should look at the big ideas and broad brushstrokes of the story. This allows us to pray about the themes and lessons of the narrative.

Flexibility in approach. The key is to turn every thought Godward as we read the passage, even if the thought has nothing to do with the text. This doesn't mean we should misinterpret the Bible, but rather that we should use the language of the text to speak to God about whatever comes to mind. The focus is on God through prayer; our glance is at the Bible.

5. Transformation Requires Action: Pray Now

The most important part of this book.

The fork in the road. This point in the book is a turning point, where we must choose between information and transformation. The knowledge we've gained will be useless unless we put it into practice. The real value of this book lies in its ability to change our prayer lives, not just inform our minds.

Immediate application. The most important step is to put down the book, pick up the Bible, and pray through a psalm right now. This is not something to postpone or delay, but an action to take immediately. This exercise is crucial for experiencing the power of praying the Bible.

Seven-minute challenge. The challenge is to pray through a psalm for at least seven minutes. This is enough time to experience the difference between repetitive prayer and engaging with God's Word. This is the most important part of the book, and it requires immediate action.

6. Evaluating the Experience: Signs of Effective Prayer

For freshness of utterance, for breadth of comprehension, for elevation of thought, for intimacy of heart, there is no prayer like that which forms itself in the words and thoughts of Scripture.

Focus and engagement. Praying through Scripture helps us remain focused and prevents our minds from wandering. The text holds our attention and guides us in prayer, making it easier to stay engaged. The next verse in the text makes it easy for us to refocus.

God-centeredness. This method tends to make our prayers more God-centered, shifting the focus from our needs to God's attributes and will. It leads to more praise and adoration, rather than just a list of requests. It moves us from a self-centered approach to a God-centered one.

Conversational flow. Praying the Bible transforms prayer into a conversation with God, where we respond to his words in Scripture. It takes the pressure off us to initiate and maintain the conversation, as God speaks to us through his Word. It becomes a two-way dialogue, not a one-way monologue.

7. The Power of Praying God's Word: Examples

The Psalms are given us to this end, that we may learn to pray them in the name of Jesus Christ.

George Mueller's transformation. George Mueller, a renowned man of prayer, found that praying through Scripture transformed his prayer life. He went from struggling to feel like praying to experiencing consistent communion with God through his Word. He said that his heart was nourished by the truth, and he spoke to his Father about the things that He had brought before him in His precious Word.

Jesus's example. Jesus himself prayed the Psalms, even on the cross. His final words were taken from the Psalms, demonstrating the importance of using God's Word in prayer. He prayed the first verse of Psalm 22, and likely continued to pray through the rest of it.

Early church's practice. The early church also prayed the Psalms, as seen in Acts 4. They used the Psalms to express their faith and seek God's guidance. This practice was a key part of their spiritual life and growth. These examples show us the power and importance of praying God's Word.

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FAQ

1. What is "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney about?

  • Core Premise: The book addresses the common struggle of boredom and repetitiveness in personal prayer, proposing a simple, biblical solution: praying through passages of Scripture.
  • Practical Guide: Whitney provides a step-by-step method for transforming prayer life by using the words of the Bible, especially the Psalms, as prompts for prayer.
  • Audience: It is written for Christians of all backgrounds who desire a more meaningful, satisfying, and consistent prayer life.
  • Encouragement and Examples: The book includes testimonies, biblical examples, and practical exercises to help readers immediately apply the method.

2. Why should I read "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney?

  • Solves Common Prayer Problems: If you find prayer boring, repetitive, or difficult to sustain, the book offers a proven, accessible solution.
  • Biblical Foundation: Whitney’s method is rooted in Scripture, making prayer more God-centered and aligned with biblical truth.
  • Applicable for All: The approach is simple enough for any Christian, regardless of age, education, or spiritual maturity.
  • Immediate Application: The book is concise and practical, encouraging readers to try the method right away for immediate results.

3. What is the main problem with prayer that "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney identifies?

  • Repetitiveness and Boredom: Most Christians tend to say the same old things about the same old things, leading to boredom and disengagement in prayer.
  • Wandering Mind: Without guidance, prayer often results in a wandering mind and lack of focus.
  • Self-Blame: Many believers wrongly conclude that their struggle is a personal or spiritual failure, rather than a problem with their method.
  • Universal Experience: Whitney argues that this is a nearly universal issue among Christians, not a sign of spiritual deficiency.

4. What is the core solution or method proposed in "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney?

  • Pray Through Scripture: The main solution is to pray through a passage of the Bible, especially the Psalms, using each verse as a prompt for prayer.
  • Line-by-Line Approach: Read a verse, pause, and talk to God about whatever comes to mind, whether directly related to the text or not.
  • No Pressure to Finish: If you run out of time before finishing the passage, simply stop; if you finish the passage before time is up, move to another.
  • Accessible to All: The method is simple, flexible, and can be adapted to any amount of time or any part of Scripture.

5. How does the "Psalms of the Day" method work in "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney?

  • Systematic Selection: Divide the 150 Psalms by 30 days, resulting in five Psalms to choose from each day (e.g., on the 15th, use Psalms 15, 45, 75, 105, 135).
  • Quick Scan: Spend 30 seconds scanning the five Psalms of the day and pick one that resonates with your current situation or mood.
  • Avoids Randomness: This method prevents aimless flipping and ensures you regularly encounter all the Psalms.
  • Daily Freshness: It provides structure and variety, making it easier to find a Psalm that fits your heart’s needs each day.

6. What are the key benefits of praying the Bible, according to Donald S. Whitney?

  • Freshness in Prayer: You avoid saying the same old things, making prayer more engaging and meaningful.
  • God-Centered Focus: Praying Scripture leads to prayers that are more about God—His attributes, works, and will—rather than just personal requests.
  • Sustained Attention: The text keeps your mind from wandering, providing a natural structure and flow.
  • Broader Prayer Topics: You end up praying about things you wouldn’t normally think to pray for, expanding the scope of your intercession.

7. How does "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney address concerns about interpreting Scripture versus praying Scripture?

  • Distinction Made: Whitney distinguishes between interpreting the Bible (hermeneutics) and praying the Bible; the former requires accuracy, the latter is about responding to God’s Word in prayer.
  • Freedom in Prayer: When praying, it’s acceptable to talk to God about anything that comes to mind, even if it’s not the main meaning of the verse.
  • Not Teaching Doctrine: Praying the Bible is not the same as teaching or preaching from it, so there’s less risk of doctrinal error.
  • Spirit and Word Confidence: Whitney trusts that the Holy Spirit and the Word will guide believers to pray more biblically over time.

8. Can the method in "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney be used with other parts of the Bible besides the Psalms?

  • Yes, All Scripture: The method works with any part of the Bible, including New Testament letters and narrative passages.
  • New Testament Letters: These are especially fruitful, as many contain prayers or easily adaptable content for prayer.
  • Narrative Passages: For stories, focus on the big ideas or main events rather than praying line-by-line.
  • Flexible Application: The approach can be adapted to any genre or section of Scripture, not just the Psalms.

9. What are the most common experiences and feedback from people who try "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney?

  • Increased Focus: People report their minds wander less and prayer feels more like a real conversation with God.
  • More God-Centered: Prayers become less self-focused and more about God’s character and works.
  • Time Flies: Many are surprised at how quickly time passes and how easy it is to pray for longer periods.
  • New Prayer Topics: Users find themselves praying about things they never would have thought to pray for otherwise.

10. How does "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney suggest praying the Bible with a group?

  • Individual Experience First: Whitney recommends everyone try praying the Bible individually before doing it in a group.
  • Best Group Method: Read a psalm aloud, have each person pick a verse that stands out, and pray aloud starting with that verse.
  • Facilitator’s Role: The leader can call out verses conducive to prayer, allowing group members to pray as prompted.
  • Benefits for Groups: This method leads to more participation, more biblically grounded prayers, and less repetition.

11. What biblical and historical examples does "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney provide to support this method?

  • Jesus on the Cross: Jesus prayed the Psalms during His crucifixion, showing the practice’s deep roots.
  • Early Church: Christians in the Book of Acts prayed the Psalms together in times of crisis.
  • George Mueller: The renowned prayer leader found his prayer life transformed by praying through Scripture.
  • Church Tradition: The Psalms have been the prayer book of God’s people for centuries, used by saints throughout history.

12. What are the key takeaways and best quotes from "Praying the Bible" by Donald S. Whitney?

  • Key Takeaway: The main obstacle to a vibrant prayer life is not you, but your method; praying the Bible offers a simple, permanent, biblical solution.
  • Memorable Quote: “If you pray the Bible, you’ll never again say the same old things about the same old things.”
  • Practical Wisdom: “Let God initiate the conversation by means of your Bible, and you simply respond to his words there.”
  • Encouragement: Anyone with a Bible and the Holy Spirit has everything necessary for a meaningful, satisfying prayer life.

Review Summary

4.49 out of 5
Average of 7.8K ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Praying the Bible receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its practical approach to revitalizing prayer life. Many found the method of praying through Scripture, especially Psalms, transformative. Some critics felt the book was repetitive and could have been shorter. Readers appreciated the simplicity and immediate applicability of the concept. While a few found it lacking depth, most considered it a valuable resource for Christians seeking to enhance their prayer life and engage more deeply with the Bible.

Your rating:
4.71
23 ratings

About the Author

Donald S. Whitney is a Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He founded The Center for Biblical Spirituality and frequently speaks at churches and conferences. Whitney's background includes pastoral ministry and a PhD in theology. He has authored several books on spiritual disciplines and Christian living. Whitney's journey to ministry began after a career change from law and sportscasting. He lives near Louisville with his wife Caffy, an artist and teacher. Whitney's work focuses on helping Christians deepen their spiritual lives through biblical practices.

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