Transforming Your Study Time with Prayer
As we dive into our study of the Bible, it’s essential to remember that prayer is the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of God’s Word. Without prayer, our study can become a mere intellectual pursuit, but with prayer, it becomes a means of communing with the Lord Himself.
The PART Method: A Framework for Prayer
You may be familiar with the acronym PART, which serves as a helpful reminder of the key elements of prayer:
- Praise: Glorify God for who He is and what He has done.
- Admit: Confess to God where you have fallen short.
- Request: Ask God to forgive your sin and to meet your needs.
- Thank: Give thanks to God for who He is and what He has done.
Applying the PART Method to Your Study
As you begin your study, start by praising God for giving you the revelation of His will and character in His Word. Acknowledge your own set of insecurities and weaknesses, and lay them before the Lord. Confess any sin that might inhibit your study, and ask God to help you guard the time you have set aside from distractions.
Praying Through Your Study
As you study, continue to pray through each stage of the PART method. Praise God when you make a connection about His character that you hadn’t understood before. Admit when you get frustrated with your study, and ask God to grant understanding. Thank God when He brings to mind other passages in Scripture that confirm or reinforce what you are learning.
Meditating on God’s Character
Take time to meditate on the aspect of God’s character that your study is revealing to you. Praise God for this aspect of who He is, and ask Him to help you apply what you have learned. Thank God for what He is teaching you, and for the gift of personal insight.
By incorporating prayer into your study time, you can transform your understanding of God’s Word and deepen your relationship with Him.
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