Recipe for an Inductive Bible Study Ingredient 5 - Prayer

In this post, we will finish up our "recipe" on how to do an Inductive Bible Study. (Did you miss any of the previous steps? Head over to the blog.) Some people might argue this last step isn't part of an Inductive Bible Study, equating it with whipped topping on hot chocolate. But I would say that this final ingredient is as crucial as any other "step" in the process. And what is this step?

Prayer.

Committing in Prayer

Have you ever been tempted to tell a lie to someone, but the moment you look them in the eye, you can't do it? I believe it is 100x harder to lie to God. Prayer is like "looking Him in the eyes," yet in a staredown with God, you know He knows everything. So even if you are the world's greatest liar and can lie with the "best" of 'em, you can't lie to God.

That's why I believe prayer is a crucial part of studying the Bible. It's one thing to observe some things in it, to figure out what it might mean, and to even go so far as to publicly say, "So here's what I'm going to do." But it is something else entirely when you ask Him to help you apply these truths to your life.

Putting Prayer Into Practice

If you've been tracking with me through this series, we've been using Hebrews 4:14-16 as our "practice" passage. We've read it,  spent time observing, asked "What does it mean?", and then tried to figure out how to apply it to our daily lives. But did you take a moment last week to pray?

If not, here's your chance. Let me put the text of Hebrews 4:14-16 here for you one last time to refresh your memory, but this time as you read it, pray through it by reading the prayer I've written to conclude this series.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)

----

Heavenly Father,

I humbly bow before your throne of grace with confidence, not because of anything I have done, but for what Jesus has done for me. Thank you for sending Jesus to be the great High Priest who could perfectly represent me before You. And Jesus, thank you for coming. I know you suffered while you were on this earth, and were even tempted as much as I have, yet you did not sin. This allowed you to be the perfect sacrifice for me.

So because you died on the cross in my place for my sins, I confess that I [insert your confession of sins here].

But with that said, I thank you for your abundant mercy and grace which washes away all of my sin.

Help me today and each day, Father, through the power of your Holy Spirit, to live the life to which you have called me. And help me encourage others to draw near to your throne of grace so that they too might receive mercy and grace to help in their time of need.