Praying the Bible

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.