We’re reading through, and with intentionality, praying through the Psalms during this school year. There are 150 Psalms, divided into 180 different readings. See this post for more info.
Here is today’s prayer, preceded by the text from the Contemporary English Version, copyright 1995, by the America Bible Society.
Lord God, you punish the guilty. Show what you are like and punish them now. You judge the earth. Come and help us! Pay back those proud people for what they have done. How long will the wicked celebrate and be glad?
All of those cruel people strut and boast, and they crush and wound your chosen nation, Lord. They murder widows, foreigners, and orphans. Then they say, “The Lord God of Jacob doesn’t see or know.”
Can’t you fools see? Won’t you ever learn? God gave us ears and eyes! Can’t he hear and see? God instructs the nations and gives knowledge to us all. Won’t he also correct us? The Lord knows how useless our plans really are.
Our Lord, you bless everyone that you instruct and teach by using your Law. You give them rest from their troubles, until a pit can be dug for the wicked. You won’t turn your back on your chosen nation. Justice and fairness will go hand in hand, and all who do right will follow along.
Who will stand up for me against those cruel people? If you had not helped me, Lord, I would soon have gone to the land of silence. When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady. And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure. But you are opposed to dishonest lawmakers who gang up to murder innocent victims.
You, Lord God, are my fortress, that mighty rock where I am safe. You will pay back my enemies, and you will wipe them out for the evil they did.
If God hadn’t been there for me, I never would have made it.
Psalm 94:17
Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 94:
God. Abba. Father.
Thank you for your righteous judgment. Thank you for your moral truths that lead us and guide us. To those who flaunt your holiness, who oppress the weak and bring destruction to the faithful, we would join with the psalmist and say, “punish the wicked.”
And yet, Jesus says “forgive them for they know not what they do.” Thank you for sending Jesus to offer every single one of us your great grace. For in our own ways, we also deserve your wrath. Yet, you offer forgiveness.
We look to you to teach us. We open our ears to hear your mercy in the sound of blood drops falling from the cross. We open our eyes to see your compassion in the brilliant light of the empty tomb. We bow before you. Thank you for not rejecting us. Thank you that you will never forsake us.
Yes, you bless everyone who turns to you for guidance. You bless each of us who find instruction in your word. You give us rest when we are weary. You reach out your hand to help us overcome great obstacles. If you, oh God, hadn’t been there for us, we would have never made it this far. When we are slipping, falling, hopelessly trying to make it on our own, you are quick to support us, to catch us, to lift us up! When we are anxious, you comfort us with your perfect peace and your great joy.
You are our steady rock, our fortress. We are always, always, always safe in your arms.
Thank you for sending us your tangible peace through Jesus.
It is in His name we offer this prayer today. Amen.
(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 