30-Day Scripture Prayer Challenge
Has your prayer time become a presentation of your wish list to God? Do you need some direction to guide you in a meaningful time of prayer? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, I would suggest praying scripture.
According to 1 John, “if we ask anything in his will, he hears us.” The problem is that we don’t always know what God’s will is. What we do know is his will for us to grow in Christ. We know his will for us to exhibit the fruit of the spirit. His will for us to be transformed through the renewal of our mind is clear.
As we pray scriptures that clearly speak of God’s will for our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, we can know that he hears those prayers.
How to Pray Scripture
There are a few different ways you can approach praying scripture. First, you can use verses that are written as a prayer, like many Psalms, and speak those word for word as your own prayer.
Alternatively, you can personalize scripture by substituting your name or using “me” in place of other words. For example, 1 Corinthians 5:17 could be personalized as follows: In Christ, I am a new creation…”
One additional way of praying scripture is what I will use for this guide to 30 days of praying scripture. Many scriptures give direction and guidance for Christian living. These scriptures can be turned into a prayerful request for those characteristics or ways of living to be true in my life.
30-Day Scripture Prayer Challenge
I’m a big fan of 30-day challenges. To me, thirty days is enough time to get in the habit of doing something, but it’s a time frame that feels achievable.
Read 30-Day Challenges to Jumpstart Healthy Habits for more 30-day challenge ideas
My 30-day scripture prayer challenge takes thirty Bible verses or passages (several are longer than one verse) and personalizes the text to pray for the responses, thoughts, and actions described to be true of me.
Practical Tips for Praying Scripture
This 30-day prayer challenge to pray scripture is intended to be personal. I have included written prayers to pray through, but you should add to those and adjust as you wish.
- Read the scripture slowly at least once (preferably in the morning)
- Read the prayer slowly, giving thoughtful consideration to the words, with the intention of speaking from your heart
- Write out the scripture to make a mental connection to the words and assist in memorization
- Read the scripture several times throughout the day, again praying for the words to be true of you
- Journal your thoughts and any additional prayers at the end of the day
Printable 30-day scripture prayer challenge pages + scripture cards
Praying Scripture Daily for 30 Days
Day 1
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Psalm 143:8 (NIV)
Prayer
Father, remind me of the unwavering, steadfast nature of your love for me. Let that knowledge inform my willingness to trust you with everything that happens today. Make it clear to me today what you would have me do, in complete surrender to your will.
Day 2
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)
Prayer
Lord reveal my selfish motives to me today. Take away my desire to do things simply to impress other people. Give me a spirit of humility, seeking to elevate others and make someone else look good. Help me to see ways I can look out for the interests of others today.
Day 3
I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV)
Prayer
Lord, help me live in a way that is worthy of you today. Give me humility and gentleness in dealing with others. Help me be patient with those around me, replacing irritability with love.
Day 4
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Prayer
Lord, thank you for loving me. Help me today to show mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to those I interact with. Give me a forgiving heart toward those who offend me, remembering how much I have been forgiven. I ask for my life to overflow with love today for those around me.
Day 5
…be made new in the attitude of your minds, and put on the new self… Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor… In your anger do not sin…and do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs…
Ephesians 4:23-29 (NIV)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, renew my thoughts and attitudes today. I want to put on a nature of truth. Help me to not allow anger to control me. Give me a spirit of generosity to others. May everything I say be good and helpful, and my words be an encouragement to those who hear them today.
Day 6
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, fix my thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Keep my mind focused today on things that are excellent and praiseworthy.
Day 7
Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, keep me from conforming to this world. Transform me by renewing my mind with your word. Help me discern your will, knowing what is good.
Day 8
With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:10-22 (ESV)
Prayer
Lord, give me a heart that seeks you with everything in me. Keep me firmly grounded in your word, to know and obey your commandments. Prod me to make time for reading, memorizing, and meditating on your word, so that it is stored in my heart for you to bring to my mind exactly when I need it.
Day 9
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22-23, 26 (ESV)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, take away my natural inclinations to indifference, dissatisfaction, worry, and pride, and produce in me more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Keep me from being conceited. Help me to not compare myself to someone else, and keep me from being envious or jealous of others.
Day 10
(Remind them)…to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Titus 3:2 (ESV)
Prayer
Father, guard my tongue. Give me a gentle spirit that seeks to avoid argumentative behaviors, I ask that you would help me treat everyone around me with respect and courtesy today.
Day 11
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Prayer
Lord, I ask for wisdom as I seek to walk with you today. Give me an eternal perspective with which to view the time I have available, that I would use my time today in a way that brings glory to you.
Day 12
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 (HCSB)
Prayer
God, give me joy today! I want to rejoice in you. I ask for a gentle spirit to characterize my words and actions today. Remind me to bring my anxious thoughts to you. Thank you for listening to my prayers. I ask for your perfect peace to guard my mind and heart today.
Day 13
Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (NIV)
Prayer
Father, keep me from retaliating when I am wronged, but give me a desire to do good to everyone I encounter. I ask for a spirit of joy, regardless of my circumstances, and that my heart would be continually seeking your will.
Day 14
We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you might have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father…
Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
Prayer
God, please give me complete knowledge of your will today, and give me spiritual wisdom and understanding. Let the way I live honor and please you Lord, and produce every kind of good fruit in my life. Grow me as I learn to know you better and better. Strengthen me with your glorious power so I will have all the endurance and patience I need. May I be filled with joy, thanking you moment by moment today.
Day 15
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NIV)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, make my words pleasing to you today. Keep my thoughts focused on your power, wisdom, grace, steadfast love, and holiness. I ask that the meditation of my heart on your character will give me a graciousness that displays your mercy and love through the words that I speak to others. May both my thoughts and words be pleasing to you today, Lord.
Day 16
For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, remind me of the truth of your presence within me. Strengthen me with the knowledge that I need not fear. Give me the assurance of your power at work in me and your love supernaturally displayed through me. Provide me with the self-control I desire, yet cannot muster on my own. Thank you for your presence and work through my weakness.
Day 17
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
Prayer
God, I humbly acknowledge your supreme power and might. I know that I am utterly unable to fix myself or make myself good enough for your holy presence. Thank you for your deep and abiding care for me. Thank you for the assurance that your plan is for my good and I do not need to be anxious for anything. Help me to remember, in the moments of anxiety, to drop it at your feet and rest in the comfort of your care for me.
Day 18
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me faith to trust in you at all times. Remind me of your faithfulness to me in the past. When my thoughts become scattered and anxious, bring them back to the truth of your promises. Fix my thoughts on your power and bring me peace through an unwavering trust in your divine control.
Day 19
Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NASB)
Scripture Coloring Pages from Ephesians
Prayer
Lord, give me a compassionate heart toward those I come in contact with today. Make my actions overflow with kindness. Please reveal to me areas in which I am holding on to a grudge and instill in me a spirit of forgiveness. Remind me today of how much I have been forgiven, and use that reminder to inspire adoration and worship to you.
Day 20
Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I confess how easily I am distracted by the things on this earth. Please keep my mind focused on the things that are above today. Give me an eternal perspective in my decision-making, my priorities, and my attitudes today. Keep me from fixating on the things that will not last, and turn my eyes back to Jesus moment by moment.
Day 21
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
Psalm 34:13 (ESV)
Prayer
Lord God, make me aware of the power of my words today. Keep me from speaking words that are hurtful, harmful, or hateful. Prevent me from using deceptiveness in my communication. Instead, give me words that speak life, truth, and love to everyone I encounter today, especially those that are closest to me. Provide your supernatural wisdom to enable me to choose my words wisely, and use your spirit to prompt the words you would have me speak.
Day 22
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NIV)
Prayer
God Almighty, give me a spirit of watchfulness today. Help me see areas where I need to be on guard for myself and for my family. Give me the courage and conviction to stand firm in my faith. Remind me to lean on the power of your might and not my own. For with you all things are possible, and without you, nothing is possible.
Day 23
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Prayer
God, instill in me today a deeper understanding of your mighty power. Bring glory to yourself today through my words and actions that honor and glorify you. Give me the courage to pray for big things, and the faith to believe in your power to accomplish them. I ask for my heart to be moved to pray in accordance with your will, and for my willingness to step forward in faith as you direct by your spirit.
Day 24
So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (CEB)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask you to give me words of encouragement for someone today. Bring your scripture to mind in a way that uplifts and build up another member of your family. Keep my eyes open for the opportunity to encourage, and give me a willingness to pause my busy schedule in order to speak words of hope and love into another’s life today.
Day 25
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
Prayer
Lord, thank you for giving me strength and protection today. Please give my heart a deep and abiding trust in your goodness. Thank you for the help you give me daily, and I ask for your help with the specific choices and issues facing me today. Give my heart a song of praise that overflows in worship to you. Let my joy be full as I consider your faithfulness and love to me.
Day 26
But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22 (NET)
Prayer
Father God, I ask that you would give me an unquenchable desire to pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace. Show me today how I can keep my mind focused on your righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in order to display those qualities to those around me and bring glory to you. Give me a willingness to allow others to hold me accountable, encourage me, and teach me as we seek to walk in your light together.
Day 27
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom today as I interact with those who do not know you. Give me boldness to take advantage of every opportunity to share your love with those who desperately need it. Make my conversation with my family, friends, and strangers alike gracious and attractive, and make me aware of your spirit prompting me to speak the words you would have me say today.
Day 28
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
James 1:19 (NIV)
Prayer
Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict me instantly before I speak words that should not be spoken. Give me patience to listen, especially when my natural inclination is to respond in anger, defiance, or to defend my position. Work in my heart to implant a spirit of humility and forgiveness in place of anger. Let the words that I do speak be spoken in truth and love.
Day 29
Do not love the world or the things that belong to the world.
1 John 2:15 (HCSB)
Prayer
Lord, make me aware today of the ways I love the things that belong to the world more than I love you. Give me a spirit of repentance about any love that is misplaced, and renew in me a passionate love for you above all else. Help me recognize those things that get in the way of giving you my very best, and give me a heart and mind willing to sacrifice my comfort and ease for your sake.
Day 30
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:9-15 (NLT)
Prayer
Father God, this is my prayer today and every day. Give me your sacrificial love for others. Cause me to seek what is good. I ask for you to bring true delight to my heart when I have the opportunity to celebrate others’ accomplishments. Give me a contagious enthusiasm to serve you. Help me to bring hardship to you in prayer and patiently wait on you for your will. Please give me a tender heart, willing to help those in need. Instill in me sincere empathy for others, and work in me to shine your light brightly to everyone in my path.
WRITE OUT YOUR PERSONAL PRAYERS WITH A PRAYER JOURNAL
The Power of Praying Scripture
Put very simply, prayer is the way we communicate with God. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16 that God knows the very motives and intentions of our hearts. Whether we pray aloud or silently, he hears us. When we saturate our lives with the word of God and sincerely ask him to give us a desire to do his will, we can be sure that he will change our hearts.
Use these 30 days of praying scripture to ask God for heart transformation. Our God is able to do infinitely more than we might ask or think!
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Praying Scripture: 30 Day Prayer Challenge
