Often, when we read the Bible, we make it our aim to read as much of it as possible in one sitting. But I want to suggest you do something very different. The next time you read your Bible, instead of reading as much as you can as fast as you can, read very slowly. Determine in advance that it doesn’t matter how much you read
Certainly, Bible study is very good and the Word itself admonishes us to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15) But you must distinguish between Bible study and drawing near to God. When you are studying, your mind is searching for information. When you are using the Word to fellowship with God, your heart is seeking to relate directly to Him.
Begin by choosing a passage of scripture. Then purposely, and by faith, come quietly and humbly before the Lord. Let your heart become aware of the fact that He is there with you and in you. Read slowly and carefully, word by word and phrase by phrase.
Resist the temptation to rush ahead and read the whole passage. Instead, turn inward and become aware of your heart’s response to what you are reading. As you do, you will become aware of the quickening of the Holy Spirit upon some words or phrases. It will seem as though God is touching you through them.
When that happens, you may want to lift that portion of the scripture to the Lord in prayer. Speak it out to Him and say about it whatever comes to your heart to say. On the other hand, you might be led simply to read it again and again, holding it and imprinting it on your heart. Mentally, you might not understand exactly why the Holy Spirit is emphasizing it so much, but that doesn’t matter. Just trust your heart and follow Him.
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”
