Does prayer, meditation, or fasting have anything to do with Bible reading?
Prayer, meditation, and fasting (along with scripture reading) are spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines draw us closer to God, deepen our understanding of who he is, and help make us into the men and women he desires us to become. Praying for guidance before reading the Bible is a common and wise practice. Also, you may be prompted to pray after reading or studying a certain passage. Saying a prayer at the conclusion reading is also wise and God-honoring. As you read or after reading the Bible, you may want to spend time focusing on and considering what you just studied and any possible applications to your life. This is called meditation; it is often mixed with prayer. The act of fasting (be it going without food or withholding some other enjoyment or practice) is used to heighten spiritual awareness. This includes insights gleaned from Bible reading as well as prayers and meditation.
