Like Shampoo and Conditioner
Something that's really been hitting me recently is the necessity we have to pray and read the Bible everyday.
Soon after we become new Christians we have this longing feeling to find out more. Surely there's more to this, isn't there? The answer to that question is yes, there is so much more. The thing is, to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you need to get to know him just as you would with any other person.
Prayer and Bible reading go together like shampoo and conditioner. You can't have one without having the other. What happens if you only put shampoo on your hair? It cleans it, but it leaves it feeling dry and brittle. And if you only put conditioner on your hair, it leaves it feeling soft and smooth but it isn't truly clean. The same thing happens with Bible reading and prayer, like I stated before, "You can't have one without having the other."
📖 "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. " Psalm 63:1
So what do we do next? Well, like most teenagers you might lead a busy life. You might have chores to do, places to be, studies to attend to, and friends to hang out with. These are all great things, don't get me wrong, but if they start taking over your time with the Lord, it might be the time to re-prioritize. If you do your Bible devotions at night, but fall asleep, try doing them early in the morning, little changes like those can help quite a lot! Personally, I enjoy reading my Bible and praying right before bed, because it helps me have a peaceful sleep. You, on the other hand, can pray and read your Bible whenever you want! At first, it might seem as if the minute you open your bible anything and everything happens to try to distract you. Don't worry, this happens! However, you must make sure that you keep at it, and work hard to stay focused on the Lord. Soon, quiet time with the Lord will feel like second nature to you and you'll thirst after it like one thirsts after water.
✏️ Bible Reading Tips and Tricks!
1. Have a bible you understand! 📚
There's no need for you to be reading a Bible in Old English if you can't understand a word you’re reading! Don’t shy away from reading NIV (New International Version) or ASV (American Standard Version) if that’s what helps you!
2. Use paperback or electronic!📚
Thanks to technology, we now have the entire Bible at the press of a button. If you like reading on your phone, Bible Apps are here for you! (My personal favorite is the YouVersion Bible app, since it has so many wonderful features!) That being said, if you enjoy paperback instead, that’s wonderful! (I’m always at a crossroads between paperback and electronic and generally use both.) There are many different styles of paperback Bibles to choose from. For example: Teen Bibles, Coloring Bibles, Young Women’s Study Bibles, Young Men’s Study Bibles, General Study Bibles, and much more! Once you find the Bible that’s perfect for you, read it often and take good care of it! For more advice, feel free to ask your pastor or youth group leader.
3. Keep a prayer journal! 📚
I’ve found that it’s very helpful to keep a prayer journal during your quiet time. You can choose a special notebook and dedicate it just for that. Then, when God answers your prayer, write it down on your journal near the original prayer. That way, you can look back years later on the way God has been listening and taking care of you every step of the way.
4. Grab a book or ask your pastor for help! 📚
If you’re unsure about your prayer and Bible reading life, go ahead and grab a book on the subject or ask your pastor for help! Some good reads are: War Room- Chris Fabry and This Means War!- Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick, and Troy Smichdt , and Fervent- Pricilla Shirer. Don’t be shy about asking your pastor on tips to spice up your prayer and Bible reading life, you’ll be glad you did! In fact, also make sure to ask for some good reading materials as well, if you’re interested.
5. Have fun! 📚
Not only is God our Saviour and our Redeemer, but he’s our best friend. Have fun, and tell him how you feel! Had a rough day? Vent it all out with Him! But don’t forget, make sure to thank Him for all the wonderful things He does in our lives everyday. And don’t forget, prayer and Bible reading aren’t a monologue, they’re a dialogue, give the Lord time to respond! He wants to talk to you!!
© Teens With Faith! All rights reserved.
Soon after we become new Christians we have this longing feeling to find out more. Surely there's more to this, isn't there? The answer to that question is yes, there is so much more. The thing is, to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you need to get to know him just as you would with any other person.
Prayer and Bible reading go together like shampoo and conditioner. You can't have one without having the other. What happens if you only put shampoo on your hair? It cleans it, but it leaves it feeling dry and brittle. And if you only put conditioner on your hair, it leaves it feeling soft and smooth but it isn't truly clean. The same thing happens with Bible reading and prayer, like I stated before, "You can't have one without having the other."
📖 "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. " Psalm 63:1
So what do we do next? Well, like most teenagers you might lead a busy life. You might have chores to do, places to be, studies to attend to, and friends to hang out with. These are all great things, don't get me wrong, but if they start taking over your time with the Lord, it might be the time to re-prioritize. If you do your Bible devotions at night, but fall asleep, try doing them early in the morning, little changes like those can help quite a lot! Personally, I enjoy reading my Bible and praying right before bed, because it helps me have a peaceful sleep. You, on the other hand, can pray and read your Bible whenever you want! At first, it might seem as if the minute you open your bible anything and everything happens to try to distract you. Don't worry, this happens! However, you must make sure that you keep at it, and work hard to stay focused on the Lord. Soon, quiet time with the Lord will feel like second nature to you and you'll thirst after it like one thirsts after water.
✏️ Bible Reading Tips and Tricks!
1. Have a bible you understand! 📚
There's no need for you to be reading a Bible in Old English if you can't understand a word you’re reading! Don’t shy away from reading NIV (New International Version) or ASV (American Standard Version) if that’s what helps you!
2. Use paperback or electronic!📚
Thanks to technology, we now have the entire Bible at the press of a button. If you like reading on your phone, Bible Apps are here for you! (My personal favorite is the YouVersion Bible app, since it has so many wonderful features!) That being said, if you enjoy paperback instead, that’s wonderful! (I’m always at a crossroads between paperback and electronic and generally use both.) There are many different styles of paperback Bibles to choose from. For example: Teen Bibles, Coloring Bibles, Young Women’s Study Bibles, Young Men’s Study Bibles, General Study Bibles, and much more! Once you find the Bible that’s perfect for you, read it often and take good care of it! For more advice, feel free to ask your pastor or youth group leader.
3. Keep a prayer journal! 📚
I’ve found that it’s very helpful to keep a prayer journal during your quiet time. You can choose a special notebook and dedicate it just for that. Then, when God answers your prayer, write it down on your journal near the original prayer. That way, you can look back years later on the way God has been listening and taking care of you every step of the way.
4. Grab a book or ask your pastor for help! 📚
If you’re unsure about your prayer and Bible reading life, go ahead and grab a book on the subject or ask your pastor for help! Some good reads are: War Room- Chris Fabry and This Means War!- Alex Kendrick, Stephen Kendrick, and Troy Smichdt , and Fervent- Pricilla Shirer. Don’t be shy about asking your pastor on tips to spice up your prayer and Bible reading life, you’ll be glad you did! In fact, also make sure to ask for some good reading materials as well, if you’re interested.
5. Have fun! 📚
Not only is God our Saviour and our Redeemer, but he’s our best friend. Have fun, and tell him how you feel! Had a rough day? Vent it all out with Him! But don’t forget, make sure to thank Him for all the wonderful things He does in our lives everyday. And don’t forget, prayer and Bible reading aren’t a monologue, they’re a dialogue, give the Lord time to respond! He wants to talk to you!!
© Teens With Faith! All rights reserved.
God bless you!!! I enjoyed reading every word of wisdom you shared in this blog! Loved your analogy regarding prayer and Bible reading compared to shampoo and conditioner.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time for posting this blog. I’m sure it will be a blessing to all who read it as it was for me.
Keep it up! May the Lord continue to use you in this way, may He give you wisdom and new topics to share with all of us!
Amen! Thank you so much for your comment! It is such a blessing to see that these blog posts are inspiring other people and touching their lives. May God bless you and once again, thank you!
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