Part 3 in the series, “Praying Scripture Over the Grandchildren
Have you ever read your Bible and wondered, “Now what?”Maybe you’ve underlined a few verses or written some notes in the margin of your Bible but still struggled to connect what you just read to your everyday life – and your intercession. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of us long to pray Scripture with greater clarity and purpose, but we don’t always know how to move from reading God’s Word to praying God’s Word.
Enter the Inductive Bible Study Method! (IBS) This simple Bible study method equips believers to approach scripture not just to gain Biblical knowledge, but to personally encounter the Living God. It’s a powerful tool for understanding the Bible, with the additional ability to radically transform how we pray. And trust me when I say, you don’t have to be a Bible scholar to begin using this easy-to-learn tool and turn Scripture into dynamic prayers.
WHAT IS THE INDUCTIVE BIBLE STUDY METHOD?
Before answering that question, we need to differentiate between the three most commonly used Bible study methods which are self evident.
Inductive……………..Pulls out facts
Deductive……………Starts with premise
Springboard………..Shares opinion
As the word implies, “Inductive” means we approach God’s Word in such a way that allows God to speak first, and then we let the Bible speak for itself. Therefore, IBS is simply a tool to engage scripture in a way that helps us draw conclusions based on what the text says, rather than relying on commentaries, preconceived ideas or opinions, which form the major components of the “Deductive” and the “Springboard” methods. So, instead of bringing our ideas to the text, which is a dangerous precursor to heresy, we draw our understanding from the text itself – because a text without a context is a pretext.
Identifying the main type of literary genres used throughout Scripture and understanding the rules of interpretation are some of the other components of IBS. But for the purpose of this post, I want to jump right to the real power of IBS contained in its three distinct steps briefly summarized below.
Observation – What does the text simply say?
In this crucial first step of Inductive Bible Study, our primary focus is on the details within the text we are studying, as we look for answers to such questions as: “Who is speaking?” “What is happening?” Where and when is the action taking place?” At this point in our observation, it’s important to take note of key words in the text, repeated words or phrases, commands or promises, contrasting ideas/thoughts, tone, and key transitions within the text. Observation trains us to listen to God’s Word before we speak it back to Him in prayer.
“When we carefully observe the text, prayer becomes a response to God’s voice, not just a list of our own concerns.[i]”
- Interpretation – What does the text mean?
After careful observation, we then ask questions of the text such as, “What is the message the author intended?” “What does this teach me about God?” “About people?” “About God’s promises, warnings, or spiritual truth?” It’s at this juncture we explore more closely context, cross-references, and what the passage meant to the original audience.
Thoughtful attention to this step helps move Biblical truth from head knowledge to heart conviction. When we take time to interpret Scripture carefully, our prayers become more focused and rooted in truth, not just feelings.
“The more clearly we see God’s character in scripture, the more confidently we can pray.”[ii]
- Application – How does this verse apply to my life?
Finally, after we’ve taken the time to carefully observe the text and interpret the verse in context (which is key), we then move to the Application step as we consider, “What is God saying to me personally through this verse?” “What can I believe, obey, or change in response to this truth?” “How should I live in light of this truth?” And as we appeal to the Holy Spirit for divine understanding, this is where prayer truly becomes a powerful and natural overflow of what we just studied.
“For God has unveiled them (the scriptures) and revealed them (the scriptures) to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].” (1 Corinthians 2:10 (AMP)
At this point, you may say, “That’s all fine and dandy. But how can I use Inductive Bible Study to move from study to intercession?”
I’m so glad you asked, and once again, trust me when I say, it’s easier than you think. Let me prove it to you by sharing a portion of my book, “Praying the Lord’s Prayer for the Grandchildren: Praying Through Matthew 6:5-13.” You’ll quickly see how applying each of the above steps can naturally lead to powerful, Scripture-based, Spirit-led prayers for your grandchildren.
For this purpose, I’ve chosen a portion of the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9a which reads,
“Our Father who is in heaven…[iii]” (AMP)
Following our IBS steps outlined above, we first observe this verse is part of the “Lord’s Prayer”, which is a portion of Christ’s larger teaching known as the “Sermon on the Mount.”
This prayer was personally spoken by Jesus Christ (God in human flesh) to His disciples and to a diverse multitude of Jews, including religious leaders and perhaps some Gentiles, on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee in response to the disciple’s request to teach them how to pray. It is one of the most famous prayers of Scripture – and indeed, the world. The word, “Father” means “Abba” or “Daddy.” The word, “heaven” refers to the place where God lives.
OBSERVATION PRAYER
An Observation prayer for this short phrase could be as simple as:
“Abba Father, I humbly ask You to open the heart and mind of my grandchildren that they may understand that as Your child, You are their Abba Father – their heavenly ‘Daddy.’Thank You for not just being their Heavenly Father, but for being ‘Our Father.’ In Jesus name. Amen.”
INTERPRETATION PRAYER
One of the many Interpretation prayers taken from my book reads:
“God Almighty, teach my grandchildren that You are Creator-Father of the universe, and by the word of Your power created everything – all life, all the stars, all the galaxies, all the worlds and realms, and all dimensions that may exist and everything therein, on earth and in heaven, whether of angels or men. May such knowledge both thrill and humble my grandchildren as they come to You in prayer. In Jesus name. Amen.”
APPLICATON PRAYER
As we formulate Application Prayers, we need to remember that at any given moment, the Holy Spirit of God knows the needs of our grandchildren. As God, He is the One who will guide us in taking the truths of Scripture and praying them back to the Author on their behalf. And for any given portion of the Bible we’re studying, there are (of course) an infinite number of Application prayers that the Holy Spirit may lead us to pray. Below is one of mine.
“Lord, help my grandchildren recognize no other man-made religion in history ascribes the term ‘Father’ to their deity. No other religion is defined by this fundamentally familial connection. May they understand because of this, Christianity is unique throughout all human experience. May they remember that from the moment You created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, Your heart’s desire was fellowship – communion with Your people – demonstrating for all time the very heartbeat of Your special love for mankind, setting You apart from all contenders. In Jesus name. Amen.”
From Study to Prayer: A Seamless Transition
Never again do we need to stare at the pages of our Bible and wonder what to say, because Bible study and prayer were never meant to be separated. One leads beautifully into the other.[iv] The transition from study to prayer becomes a natural overflow of the relationship we seek to nurture with “Our Father who is in heaven.”The more deeply we study God’s Word, the more naturally (and powerfully) we will pray God’s heart.
So whether you’re praying for your grandchildren or the rest of the world, let God’s Word guide your prayers. Let it shape your intercession. Let it draw you into deeper communion with the God who has spoken and has promised to hear when you cry out to Him. And whether you’re new to Bible study and prayer or you’ve been studying and praying for years remember:
God’s Word is not only meant to be read – it is meant to be prayed.
[i] “With Christ and the School of Prayer”, by Andrew Murray. (Specific reference not known.)
[ii] IBID
[iii] https://www.blueletterbible.org/amp/mat/6/1/s_935001
📬 I would love to share Scripture-based prayers, along with updates on new blog posts, books and free downloads with you. If this would be a blessing, please ➤Subscribe to my Newsletter. I promise to honor your privacy. As my gift for subscribing, I will send you my free booklet entitled, “Praying Through Psalm 119:33-35.” This booklet will show you how easy it is to use God’s Word to transform your prayer life. I hope it blesses you.
Thank you for spending these few minutes with me. Until next time, may God bless you.
© 2025 Donna Farris. All rights reserved.