What Different Practices Can I Use With Memorized Scripture, To Go Deeper?

I have spend a lot of time over the years to memorize Scripture, even taking time to write songs based on Biblical texts I want to have memorized, so that I would have an easier time recalling them. Memorizing Scripture is a priority in my life. But ever since, I have noticed that I can use that very memorized verse or passage to do other spiritual practices to grow me both in application of that truth and in deeper meditation of it. 

 I can use my memorized Bible verses and passages (of which I have a vast collection in my head and in a digital  collection on my smartphone for continual review) to speak to God and converse with Him about it. I also use it to reveal more to me, about God's ways and who He is. I can speak out my thanksgiving and appreciation, my praise and worship, my prayers and intercession, or do a Biblical meditation out of that chosen verse/passage. I can also make choices as to which spiritual practice I will employ for the verse/passage I am presently recalling, based on the nature of the Biblical text. 

Four Great Practices To Take Memorized Scripture To Deeper Places

1. THANKSGIVING & APPRECIATION

   • VERSE: "...The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." - 1 Samuel 16:7 NIV

     • THANKSGIVING (for what He has done) > "Lord, I thank You that when You look at me, You are not seeing my outward actions only but also what is really going on in my heart. You see my troubles, and frustrations, my pain and sorrow, my motives and intentions. I am grateful that I am known by You, and known at a much deeper level than I can ever know myself."

     • APPRECIATION (for who He is) > "I appreciate that You are a God who sees our hearts fully and knows us perfectly. Nothing is hidden from You. All things are laid bare before Your eyes. I appreciate that even if the whole world fails to understand us, You will always know our hearts and You will always judge us rightly."

2. PRAISE & WORSHIP

   • VERSE: "The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him." - Psalm 24:1 NLT

     • PRAISE (focused on acknowledging and exalting God's attributes and greatness) > "God, Your greatness extends over all creation. You hold it all in Your hands and under Your control. Nothing in this universe escapes Your sovereignty. You are fully in control. All of creation belong to You, the Glorious One!" 

     • WORSHIP (focused on intimacy and communion with God, in reverence and awe, with a personal surrender to God's presence) > "Father, I belong to You. My life is Yours, my ways are set by You and I delight in Your leadership. I am at peace knowing how in control You are of everything that is outside of my control. But my delight for You is so great that I give You my life and my heart to do with as You please. I am safe in Your arms and in Your plans. All glory be to You." 

3. PRAYER & INTERCESSION

   • VERSE: 3"Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place?  4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, God of Jacob." - Psalm  24:3-6 NIV

     • PRAYER (More personal and directed towards my relationship with God) > "Lord, I want to ascend the mountain of the Lord and stand in Your presence. So I ask that You would cleanse me from my sin and purify me from all unrighteousness in all I do, say and think. I want to be more like Your Son; make me more and more like Him. Make me one who seeks Your face continually. I want to know You more!"  

     • INTERCESSION (Lifting up the needs of others before God and seeking His mercy and assistance on their behalf)> "I pray for my church, Epicentre Church in Pasadena. I ask that You would raise up this generation to be ones who seek Your face, ones who love You and worship You and follow You wholeheartedly.  Release your Spirit to empower this congregation to live lives that are pure and holy, fragrant to You. Cause us to trust in You and in You alone. Knock down any idols that have risen in our hearts and minds to take Your rightful place. Let their be no other idols. But instead, let a deep, abiding trust in You grow in us tilting us to lean continually on You, our Beloved, for our every need in every situation."  

4. BIBLICAL MEDITATIONS (many more of these are found here)

   • VERSE: " 8  Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. 9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and his testimonies." - Psalm 25:8-10 ESV

     • PRAY-READ (one type of Biblical Meditation) > * I thank You that You are a good God who works for our good, by leading us in humility towards Your heart and Your ways. You are our Perfect Teacher and the Shepherd of our Souls and Your commitment to us, even in our wanderings, humbles us more and more until we are rightly submitted to You. * Show me more how graciously You are leading me into Your ways. Let me see Your faithfulness, wisdom and care in my life, that comes with Your perfect leadership. *  I commit to follow Your ways all the days of my life and to be corrected and redirected, as needed, back into Your perfect ways. *  Empower me to seek Your ways and let go of any solutions that have come from my brokenness and waywardness. Help me to heal from my brokenness so that I can embrace Your ways fully.