Author: Paula Gooder, 9 May 2017
Christians believe that when they read the Bible God speaks. If you are new to Bible reading as a Christian it is important to recognise that it is slightly different to reading other books.
We might read other books to learn things; to understand more about our world; to get to grips with who we are as people; to find out how to make good decisions; to unravel how we feel about something and so on. Reading the Bible involves all of these things – and more – but it also involves asking God to speak to us and listening with ears of our heart in order to hear what he might have to say today.
As a result it is important to begin in the right kind of way, with prayer. You can do this in all sorts of ways. The simplest is just to ask God to be with you as you read and to show you what he wants you to hear, but you might find it helpful to say some set words before you begin. Here are five tips
You could quote the words the prophet Eli said that Samuel should say when God wanted to speak to him: 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening’. (1 Samuel 3.9)
Pray, ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path’. (Psalm 119.105)
'The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.’ (Hebrews 4.12-13)
Open my mind, Lord, as I read today
so that I learn more of you;
Open my heart, Lord, to feel your love
Speak to me, challenge me and make me more like you.
Amen.
There are a range of different ways of praying while you read the Bible. Here are just two. These methods work best with a short passage of about 10-15 verses long.
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