All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good action. (2 Tim 3:16-17 NIV)
The Bible is unique, it is the only book that to get the full meaning the author needs to be present. The Holy Spirit is our teacher and He leads us into all Truth. One way we can gain strength in our prayer lives is to feed on the Word by talking with God as we read it. Bible study is meant to create an active dialogue in our hearts with God.
There are two broad categories of Scripture related to talking with God while reading the Word—promises to believe and exhortations to obey.
Category #1: Promises to believe
When we come across a promise to believe while reading the Word, we turn it into conversation with Jesus. There are many verses with promises to believe, such as “God loves His people” or “God forgives us” or “God will provide for us or guide us.”
You are encouraged to do two things when talking to God in context of a promise to believe. First, thank God for that truth, and second,ask the Spirit to give you more understanding of it.
First, we thank God for a particular truth—turn it into a declaration of thanksgiving or trust. For example, when reading that Jesus loves you as the Father loves Him, pray, “Thank You, Jesus, that You love me with the same intensity with which the Father loves You.”
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (John 15:9 ESV)
Second, we ask God for more understanding of a specific truth. For example, while reading that Jesus loves you as the Father loves Him, pray, “Jesus, give me more understanding about how You love me with the same intensity with which the Father loves You.”
Category #2: Exhortations to obey
When we come across an exhortation to obey while reading the Word, we turn it into conversation with Jesus just as we do a promise. Many verses exhort us to obey related to our time, money, speech, work, attitudes, food, drink, eyes, sexuality, service, relationships, etc.
Jesus exhorted His people to abide in His love. Obeying this involves several things. It means to dwell on or focus on His love by searching it out and going deep in our understanding of it.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. (John 15:9 ESV)
You are encouraged to do two things when talking to God in context to an exhortation to obey. First, commit yourself to obey that truth, and second ask the Holy Spirit to for help.
First, we commit to obey a truth—we make simple declarations of our resolve to obey it. In this case we pray, “Jesus, I commit to abide in or focus on Your love. I set my heart to study and search out this truth from Your Word and to live in it.”
Second, we ask God to empower us to obey the particular truth. We ask Him to help us by giving us wisdom, motivation, and power to obey in specific areas. For example, when reading that we are to abide in love, simply pray, “Jesus, help me to abide in Your love.”
One exhortation that I have drawn strength from throughout my life is the one that says Job made a covenant with his eyes not to look on anything that would stir up lust (Job 31:1).
This is adapted from IHOP-KC Teaching- Growing in Prayer