How to Pray with Scripture

One of the most marvelous things I learned in my training with Ignatian Spirituality  was how to enter Scripture.

Spiritual Truth

The Scripture is a spiritual book, and while a casual reading might give you some benefit (very little, I would say), it is best approached in a spiritual manner, in meditation or contemplation. The mystery I have found is that the Scripture is something to be experienced. A mere casual reading doesn't really yield much of anything.

Scriptural Prayer

It is very simple to learn to pray with Scripture, with immense benefit.

First, take care of what they call the P's:  set aside the place and time of your prayer – you can start with 15-30 minutes. Make sure you are in a place where you will not be disturbed for the duration of your prayer time. Prepare the scriptural passage you will read. It's best to deal with small chunks, a chapter at a time, or even less. Then in your prayer time, get yourself into a good posture. It's best to have your back straight so you can last thru your prayer time I comfort and ease). Then when you are centered and relaxed, proceed with the steps below:

Meditating the Scripture

1.        State the grace you wish to ask for in your prayer time. For instance, "I ask for the grace to get to know and experience God's love for me."

2.       Open your Bible and read the passage slowly, aloud or silently, savoring the words.

3.       If you experience any special feelings – STOP – savor this special moment – this is Grace, God  speaking to you. You will know when it is time to move on, when the feeling subsides and you feel the moment is over.

4.       You may wish to re-read the passage. If I  still have time in my prayer period, what I sometimes do is to read another related reading.

5.       End with a colloquy or a dialogue. You can imagine yourself sitting across Jesus or Mary. This is your chance to ask them questions and get some answers for your life.

6.       Close with a simple prayer like Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be.

Contemplation with the Scripture

This is done with Scriptural stories, like the birth of Christ, the Annunciation, etc.

1.       State the grace you wish to ask for in your prayer time. For instance, "I ask for the grace to get to know Mary better and to gain clarity on my own Annunciation."

2.       Open your Bible and read the chosen passage completely.

3.       But down your Bible and close your eyes.  Enter the scene that you have just read. Become part of it.

4.       Be sure not to edit or control what you are seeing, hearing, or perceiving. Don't intentionally change the scene or direct it. Allow it to unfold for you.

5.       End with a colloquy or a dialogue. You can imagine yourself sitting across Jesus or Mary. This is your chance to ask them questions and get some answers for your life.

6.       Close with a simple prayer like Our Father, Hail Mary, or Glory Be.

When praying with Scripture, spiritual truths are revealed, and you might feel God is talking to your heart. For me, this is the way to experience Scripture and to have them come alive for you.

In prayer, we are concerned with spiritual truths – something that is particularly for you. So the historical truth (did women then wear veils or not?), or even scholarly debates (was Mary really a virgin?) don't matter at all. In your contemplation you might see the characters wearing jeans and t-shirts. Or desert garb. It doesn't matter. What you will find is what you need at the moment.