Prayer Basics for Beginners: How to Pray Over Bible Verses

If you’re new to prayer, it can sometimes feel intimidating.

You may wonder:

• What am I supposed to say?
• Am I praying the right way?
• How long should I pray?
• What if I don’t know what to ask for?

The good news is that prayer does not have to be complicated. Prayer is simply time spent talking with God. You do not need beautiful words, a perfect routine, or a long list of things to say. You can come to Him exactly as you are.  One of my favorite ways to begin praying, especially if you aren’t sure what to say, is to pray through Scripture.

Instead of trying to come up with every prayer on your own, you can use the words God has already given us in the Bible as the starting point for your conversation with Him.

Begin With a Prayer

Before you begin reading your verses, take a quiet moment and invite God into your prayer time.

You could begin by praying The Lord’s Prayer, or you can simply speak to God in your own words.

Your opening prayer does not need to be long. The purpose is simply to quiet your heart, focus your attention on God, and ask Him to guide you.

You might pray something like:

Lord, thank You for this time with You. Help me to slow down and feel Your presence as I pray today. Open my heart to You and help me speak honestly about the things I am carrying. Guide me through the Scriptures I read and help me understand how Your Word applies to my life. Lead my thoughts, my prayers, and my heart today. Help me grow closer to You through this time together. Amen.

Then take a moment before moving on. You don’t have to rush.

Choose a Verse to Pray Over

Next, choose a Bible verse that relates to something you want to pray about.

Maybe you’re praying for:

• peace
• strength
• healing
• forgiveness
• wisdom
• your family
• someone who is hurting
• financial provision
• protection
• hope
• gratitude

You can also simply read through Scripture and stop when a verse stands out to you.  Once you find your verse, read it out loud.  There is something powerful about slowing down enough to actually hear the words of Scripture instead of quickly reading through them.

Turn the Verse Into a Prayer

Here is a very simple format you can use:

“Lord, You said in [Bible verse] that [read the verse]. So I pray, Lord, that…”

Then continue in your own words. You are taking what you just read in Scripture and turning it into a personal conversation with God.

For example, you might read Philippians 4:6–7 and begin:

Lord, You tell us in Philippians 4:6–7 not to be anxious, but to bring everything to You in prayer. So I pray, Lord, that You would help me give You the things I am worried about today. Help me stop carrying everything on my own. Fill my heart with Your peace and help me trust You with the things I cannot control.

You can make the prayer as short or as detailed as you want.

Make the Verse Personal

After reading the verse, think about what is happening in your own life. Ask yourself:

• What does this verse make me think about?
• Is there something I need God’s help with?
• Is there someone I should pray for?
• Is there something I need to surrender to God?
• Is there something here I can thank Him for?

Then talk to Him about it. For example, Psalm 23:1 says that the Lord is our Shepherd. You might pray:

Lord, You tell me in Psalm 23:1 that You are my Shepherd and that You will care for me. So I pray that You would help me trust Your direction today. When I feel uncertain about what comes next, remind me that I do not have to figure everything out on my own. Guide me and help me follow where You lead.

The prayer does not need to perfectly explain the verse. You are simply allowing Scripture to guide your conversation with God.

Pray for Other People Too

Praying over Scripture is also a beautiful way to pray for the people in your life.  If you’re reading a verse about strength, you could pray it over someone going through a difficult season. If you’re reading about healing, you can pray for someone who is sick. If you’re reading about peace, you might pray for a friend who is struggling with worry. Simply change your prayer to include that person. For example:

Lord, You tell us that You are near to the brokenhearted. I pray that You would be especially close to my friend today. Comfort her, strengthen her, and remind her that she is not alone.

You can pray Scripture over your spouse, children, friends, family members, coworkers, or even someone whose name simply comes to mind during your prayer time.

You Don’t Have to Pray Perfectly

This is one of the most important things to remember when you’re beginning: There is no perfect script you have to follow. You may pray over one verse for several minutes, or you may only say a few sentences. Some days you may have a lot to say. Other days you may sit quietly for a while. That’s okay.

The goal isn’t to create the perfect prayer routine. The goal is to spend time with God.

As you continue praying and reading Scripture, talking to Him will begin to feel more natural. You’ll start recognizing verses that speak to particular situations in your life, and Scripture can become an incredible guide for your prayers.

A Simple Prayer Routine for Beginners

If you’re not sure where to begin, try this:

1. Find a quiet place and open your Bible.
2. Begin with a short prayer asking God to guide your time.
3. Choose a Scripture passage or a few verses to read.
4. Read one verse slowly and out loud.
5. Say, “Lord, You said in ___ that…” and read the verse.
6. Continue with, “So I pray, Lord, that…” and turn the verse into your own prayer.
7. Pray for yourself and anyone else God brings to mind.
8. Finish by thanking God for hearing you and for spending this time with you.

And remember, you don’t have to pray through ten or twenty verses at once. Start with one. One verse. One prayer. One honest conversation with God. That is a beautiful place to begin.

A Prayer Before You Go

Lord, help me grow more comfortable coming to You in prayer. Teach me to use Your Word as a guide when I don’t know what to say. Help me slow down, listen, and speak honestly with You. As I read Scripture, show me what You want me to see and help me turn Your words into prayers for myself and for others. Most of all, help this time draw me closer to You. Amen.

You don’t need to have all the right words to begin praying. You simply need to begin.

Ready to Start Praying With Scripture?

If you’re new to prayer and want a little guidance getting started, my Prayer Bible Tabs and Kits are designed to make praying through Scripture feel simple, approachable, and meaningful. Each kit gives you a beautiful way to organize verses by prayer theme and use God’s Word as the starting point for your conversations with Him.

They’re especially helpful if you sometimes sit down to pray and aren’t sure what to say or where to begin.

START YOUR PRAYER BIBLE TODAY, SHOP PRAYER BIBLE TABS AND KITS.