On this page you’ll find resources to help you Read the Bible + Pray!
READ THE BIBLE
We want to encourage you to read the bible daily. Not as an obligation but as an act of love. Intentionally spending time each day reading, reflecting, and even memorizing scripture will build you up as a follower of Christ, settle your spirit, and grow your faith.
Q: Should I read on my phone or a physical bible?
A: We recommend a physical bible but digital is great too. The goal is to create a rhythm that is accessible and intentional.
Q: Does the translation matter?
A: Not really. The bible is a set of ancient texts that have been translated many times so that it is accessible for a modern audience. We often teach from the New International Version (NIV) on Sundays because it is relatively balanced in terms of it’s accuracy and readability but each version has its own credibility. If you’re really interested in learning more about what version might be best for you, check out this article from Bible Gateway.
WHAT TO READ | WHERE TO START?
NEW TO READING THE BIBLE?
We suggest learning about the life and ministry of Jesus in the Gospels. The gospel of John is a great place to start.
LOOKING TO BE ENCOURAGED AS A FOLLOWER OF JESUS?
We recommend reading 1 and 2 Corinthians. These letters are rich and challenge us to be committed followers of Christ.
LOOKING TO BE ENCOURAGED IN WORSHIP + WISDOM?
Try starting every day by reading from Psalms and Proverbs. These powerful pieces are great to meditate on and memorize.
PRAYER
Everything begins and ends with prayer. We want to be a church that is fully reliant on the Holy Spirit to help us bring life to our city so we must be fully submitted in prayer. Below you’ll find some encouragement and resources on how to do that.
PRAY IN THE PRAYER ROOM
It's amazing what happens when we stop giving all our attention to our busyness and we enter into intentional and hopeful prayer. The prayer room is the perfect place to do this. You can sign up for an hour in the prayer room here.
THE PRAYER WHEEL helps unite our church in specific prayers. This is not the only way to pray but it does promote great prayer practices combined with some of our church’s united hopes and prayers to see God move in us, our church, our city, and world. The Prayer Wheel can be helpful if you’re learning how to spend an intentional hour in prayer. Learn More.
A SIMPLE GUIDE TO PRAYER is exactly what it sounds like, a simple guide to genuine, slowed down prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. This guide includes 4 simple steps with scripture references to help you approach conversation with God. Learn More.
LECTIO DIVINA is an ancient practice of praying through scripture. The word comes alive as we take our time to read, listen, and pray. The Lectio Divina guide below gives you a simple outline of how to implement this practice in your own personal prayer time or communally with a friend or group. Learn More.
OTHER RESOURCES
FASTING
Fasting is considered a biblical and spiritual discipline that Jesus himself practiced and taught his disciples to do.Fasting orients our mind, heart, body, and soul towards God and hearing the Holy Spirit. Occasional fasting is an excellent practice to add to your growing rhythm of prayer and scripture. Click the button below for some really helpful information to get started.
OKC COMMUNITY DEVOTIONALS
If you would like a more guided approach to your time in scripture, check out the devotionals created specifically for our church! Each of these devotionals are written by our staff and family members of our church. Click the button below to see what’s available. Some devotionals are available on our website and some are created intentionally for the OKC Community app, which can be downloaded here.
BIBLE IN A YEAR WITH NICKY GUMBEL
If you’re looking to start a journey of reading the whole bible, we recommend the Bible in a Year plan with Nicky Gumbel. Nicky is the developer of the Alpha course and this reading plan is the best full bible plan that we’ve found. Each day will give you a section to read from the Old Testament and New Testament, as well as a Psalm or Proverb paired with Nicky’s thoughtful commentary. Click below to try it out!