A New Way to Pray: Praying the Scriptures

Do you ever feel like you're praying the same things over and over again? Like your prayers have become a little stale or routine?Hey, Christ Church! I'm Dustin Hacker, and welcome back to our "Holy Habits" devotional series. Yesterday we talked about the simple, foundational definition of prayer: talking with God. Today, we're building on that foundation by exploring a specific, ancient way of praying that can breathe new life into your time with God.In this devotion, we explore:How every worship service is really a corporate prayer service—we speak to God in songs and readings, and we hear from God in His Word.A favorite practice of C.S. Lewis: praying the Scriptures line by line, letting each verse become a launching point for your own prayers.What "festing" prayer means: an old word for adorning or decorating. Just as you decorate a Christmas tree, you take a passage of Scripture and "adorn" it with your own prayers, phrases, and reflections.A practical example using Psalm 16: walking through verse by verse, pausing in silence, and letting the Holy Spirit direct your response.Why this practice is so helpful: It gives structure without stifling the Spirit. It helps us avoid saying the same things over and over, and opens us up to new ways of connecting with God.If you've been longing for a deeper, more reflective prayer life—especially during this Lenten season—this practice might be exactly what you need.Try it today: Pick a short passage (like the Lord's Prayer or a favorite Psalm), go through it slowly, line by line, and let it guide your conversation with God.Don't forget to like and subscribe as we continue our Holy Habits series with more on prayer and confession!