How often should Christians pray and read the Bible?
It is imperative for the growth of every believer to spend time praying and reading the Bible. God provided all of the tools necessary to live a Christian life and to learn about Him; it is the responsibility of the individual to utilize those tools. Going to church and listening to a sermon is a wonderful addition to a life filled with personal Bible study and prayer time; it should never be the only source for a believerís spiritual growth.
Just as a personís body will die without proper nourishment, so will a spiritual life wither without the nourishment that God provides through the Bible and through quiet times with Him. You can see examples of how Jesus lived this truth by making prayer a priority in His own life. See Mark 1:35; 6:46; and Luke 5:16; 6:12; 22:41,42.
There are many tools to help you begin a path through the Bible. Bible study aids are available in Christian bookstores or online. You may choose study aids that are either topical or based on particular books of the Bible. You can also purchase a One-Year Bible, which provides a plan for reading Scripture each day so that you complete the entire Bible in one year. Or, you can just start reading. But, donít read the Bible from cover to cover; it is not in chronological order. You will want to begin in one of the Gospels or in the Book of Romans.
You can begin a prayer life in much the same way. A good idea is to open your Bible study time with prayer, asking God to reveal himself to you through the Scriptures you read that day. Then, when you are finished reading, pray about what you read, asking God to help you apply it to your own life. You can then spend some time, even just a few minutes, praying for other people in your life. Your prayer time will eventually grow as you become more intimate and personal with the Lord.
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