4 Ways Daily Bible Reading Will Change Your Life

Delving into God's Word regularly will give you a brand new perspective.

by Neal Samudre

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In today’s busy world, it can be difficult to prioritize daily Bible reading. Many of us are dashing about as soon as we wake up, and don’t stop moving until we go to bed at night. Even if the desire is there, life often takes precedence over reading the Bible consistently.

Yet, on the days when I don’t read God’s word because I haven’t stopped moving, I notice something—I’m in a bad mood.

This is not a coincidence. We were created to operate within a godly rhythm of work and worship. When all we do is work, we’re stretching our body to operate without the essential praise experience we need to replenish ourselves. 

If we are to live the lives God designed for us, we must get back to what’s essential for us to thrive. We must move against the grain that tries to quicken our pace, slow down and pick up our Bibles. As a result, we’ll begin to see the world in a new lens, one colored with the hope and optimism we need to face the day.

As I made it a priority to read my Bible in the morning each day, I found my outlook on life was changing for the better.

Here are the four ways reading the Bible each day can change your life:

1) You'll gain a new insight on your problems.

Bible stories are timeless because they deal with universally human themes like stress, worry, fear, love and hope. The disobedience of the Israelites in the Old Testament, for example, can help you see the messes of your life--and God's mercy and grace towards you--in a new light. 

Whatever you're struggling with, let the powerful stories of the Bible better clarify what you’re going through.

2) You'll see God in a new light.

It’s difficult to notice God throughout your day when you forget how He operates. By reading the Bible each day, you can keep the nature of God and how He works at the forefront of your mind so you’ll always notice when He’s working in your own life.

3) You'll refocus your attention on what's important.

When you’re busy, your mind is focused on yourself, what you have to do and how you're feeling. But reading the Bible expands your perspective. It reorients you back to what’s important, like giving God His due time with you first and attending to your family, friends and neighbors in love.

If you find your mind is stuck on yourself, let the words of the Bible carry you to a godly perspective—that everyone in your day matters.

4. You'll make better choices.

The Bible teaches us that, "out of the heart the mouth speaks." Without even being conscious of it, we can store up sinful things in our heart based on what we spend our time thinking about or consuming in the media. Over time, these harmful items can transform our outlook into a negative one and can cause us to act or speak in ways that aren't godly or loving. That's why we're called to guard our hearts against such things. So you need to be intentional about storing up healthy things in our heart. 

By reading the Bible each day, we can be sure to maintain a healthy and life-giving soul which will flow out of us in every facet of our lives.

Don’t let your fear of missing a deadline or being late to work stop you from making a daily connection with God first. Slow yourself down and read the Bible each day and watch how your life will change.

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1) "Lord, have mercy."

The Desert Fathers, monastic Christians in Egypt in the third and fourth centuries, often prayed the prayer many know as the “Kyrie Eleison” (Greek for “Lord, have mercy”). Also called the “Jesus Prayer” when pronounced as “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,” it is rooted in Psalm 123:3, Luke 18:13, and Luke 18:38.

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2) “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”

Based on the words [3] of the boy Samuel (1 Samuel 3:9), I occasionally pray these words to quiet my soul and express my desire to hear from God.

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3) "My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth."

I often pray this prayer of affirmation and dependence, from Psalm 121:2, in times of need and desperation. It reminds me that my help does not come from my own strength or the support of others, but from God.

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4) "Here I am."

This is a prayer of presence, and availability, based on the cry of the prophet in Isaiah 6:8.

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5) "Show your power."

I often pray this short prayer (based on Psalm 68:28, among others) to intercede for others, particularly when the need is great and the situation dire.

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6) "When I am afraid, I will trust you."

My children memorized this verse (Psalm 56:3) when they were four and five, I think. It has since helped not only them but also me to remain calm and trustful when tempted by worry and fear.

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7) "Not my will, but yours."

This prayer, of course, echoes Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42). Like the previous prayer, it helps to pray this “breath prayer” when you are anxious or impatient. It places the praying heart in a position of surrender, where great answers are likely to come.

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8) "Bring your kingdom."

Based on the prayer Jesus taught his earliest followers (Luke 11:2), I often breathe this prayer when I am overwhelmed by the sadness and horrors of the latest news or a devastating diagnosis. In just a few words, it expresses a heartfelt desire for the day when “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God” (Revelation 12:10) will be fully realized and the Evil One will be defeated.

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9) "Say the word."

When a Roman centurion sent word to Jesus asking him to heal a sick servant, he told Jesus that he didn’t even feel worthy for the Lord to come into his house. He simply requested, “Say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:7). Jesus commended the centurion’s faith, for his request showed that he knew Jesus could heal with a word. So I will often pray for someone’s healing–from sickness, addiction, emotional pain, depression, etc.–with this breath prayer.

 

 

 

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10) "Come, Lord Jesus."

I breathe this prayer–the last prayer recorded in the Bible (Revelation 22:20)–not only as a prayer for Christ’s return but also as a prayer for him to come repeatedly, constantly, into my situation and struggles.

 

 

 

Find out more about one of Guideposts.org's sponsors:  Cancer Treatment Centers of America [12]

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