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A review by okiecozyreader
Praying the Scriptures for your life: 31 days of abiding in the presence, provision and power of God by Jodie Berndt
inspiring
5.0
I just happened to come across this book with Faith Gateway for their 31 day prayer challenge. I had not heard of it (or the author) before, but I really loved it and I think I’m going to read her book for teens later this fall. She had a short chapter for each day, followed by scriptures to read on the topic, questions to reflect on and then prayers (from scripture) to respond with.
There is also an introduction from Ann Voscamp:
“And real prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind, but about finding God’s heart, and letting His heart change our minds.”
And a chapter about abiding with God, which inspired this book (John chapter 15). To abide…
“. . means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in us and through us to produce fruit.”
“To abide in Christ . . . is to renounce all life independent of Christ, and constantly to look to Him for the inflow of His life into us, and the outworking of His life through us.” RA Torrey
Then a chapter on Why Pray the Scriptures and How to Use this Book… then part 2 and the 31 days begin.
Topics include: prayers for your marriage, for your children, asking for help, suffering & grief
“And sometimes in his mercy he reveals the purpose in our pain. “This happened,” Paul writes after things got so bad that he and his companions were sure they would die, “that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.”4 day 12
Waiting on God : day 13
“Given the John 15 call to connection, I love the idea that waiting can actually link us—attach us—to God.
-
“The word patience,” he writes, “is derived from the Latin word for suffering.”2 It comes as no surprise, then, that when Scripture exhorts us to “wait for the LORD,” the very next words are, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage.”
-
He wants us to know he is good when the gift comes, before the gift comes, and even if the gift never comes.
-
And yet tucked right in the middle of all the despair we find this gem: “The LORD is good to those who wait for him.”
-
Plant your longings in my heart, Lord, and delight to fulfill them. (Proverbs 13:12)
Worry and fear
Prayer is the antidote to worry and fear.
Praying about the words you say, to love God’s Word, hearing God’s voice
resting in God - day 19
“When Jesus offers rest for the weary and burdened, it’s not like he says, “Come take a nap.” He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”2 I don’t know much about farming, but to me, wearing a yoke implies action of some sort. Pulling a cart. Plowing a field. Doing work.”
-
That sounded appealing. I liked how Jesus linked rest—real rest—to walking and working with him. To living a life marked by purpose. To living freely and lightly—not straining or striving, but moving to the “unforced rhythms of grace” as we “keep company” with the Lord.
-
Rest, then—real rest—is maybe not so much ceasing activity as it is adopting a posture of trust, one where we increasingly depend not on our own strength but on God’s.
Reflect: Where have you been striving to be productive apart from the Lord?
Respond: When I am tired and worn out, show me how to take a real rest.
-
Help me observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Using your gifts, praying about your work and purpose, praying about financial decisions, asking for wisdom and guidance, bring joy-full, praying for health and healing, trusting God in the face of unanswered prayer, sharing your faith, praying for the little things and living with greater gratitude.
I really enjoyed each day. Highly recommend!
There is also an introduction from Ann Voscamp:
“And real prayer isn’t about changing God’s mind, but about finding God’s heart, and letting His heart change our minds.”
And a chapter about abiding with God, which inspired this book (John chapter 15). To abide…
“. . means to keep in fellowship with Christ so that His life can work in us and through us to produce fruit.”
“To abide in Christ . . . is to renounce all life independent of Christ, and constantly to look to Him for the inflow of His life into us, and the outworking of His life through us.” RA Torrey
Then a chapter on Why Pray the Scriptures and How to Use this Book… then part 2 and the 31 days begin.
Topics include: prayers for your marriage, for your children, asking for help, suffering & grief
“And sometimes in his mercy he reveals the purpose in our pain. “This happened,” Paul writes after things got so bad that he and his companions were sure they would die, “that we might not rely on ourselves but on God.”4 day 12
Waiting on God : day 13
“Given the John 15 call to connection, I love the idea that waiting can actually link us—attach us—to God.
-
“The word patience,” he writes, “is derived from the Latin word for suffering.”2 It comes as no surprise, then, that when Scripture exhorts us to “wait for the LORD,” the very next words are, “Be strong, and let your heart take courage.”
-
He wants us to know he is good when the gift comes, before the gift comes, and even if the gift never comes.
-
And yet tucked right in the middle of all the despair we find this gem: “The LORD is good to those who wait for him.”
-
Plant your longings in my heart, Lord, and delight to fulfill them. (Proverbs 13:12)
Worry and fear
Prayer is the antidote to worry and fear.
Praying about the words you say, to love God’s Word, hearing God’s voice
resting in God - day 19
“When Jesus offers rest for the weary and burdened, it’s not like he says, “Come take a nap.” He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”2 I don’t know much about farming, but to me, wearing a yoke implies action of some sort. Pulling a cart. Plowing a field. Doing work.”
-
That sounded appealing. I liked how Jesus linked rest—real rest—to walking and working with him. To living a life marked by purpose. To living freely and lightly—not straining or striving, but moving to the “unforced rhythms of grace” as we “keep company” with the Lord.
-
Rest, then—real rest—is maybe not so much ceasing activity as it is adopting a posture of trust, one where we increasingly depend not on our own strength but on God’s.
Reflect: Where have you been striving to be productive apart from the Lord?
Respond: When I am tired and worn out, show me how to take a real rest.
-
Help me observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Using your gifts, praying about your work and purpose, praying about financial decisions, asking for wisdom and guidance, bring joy-full, praying for health and healing, trusting God in the face of unanswered prayer, sharing your faith, praying for the little things and living with greater gratitude.
I really enjoyed each day. Highly recommend!