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:
I praise you, Lord God, with all my heart. You are glorious and majestic, dressed in royal robes and surrounded by light. You spread out the sky like a tent, and you built your home over the mighty ocean.
The clouds are your chariot with the wind as its wings. The winds are your messengers, and flames of fire are your servants.
You built foundations for the earth, and it will never be shaken. You covered the earth with the ocean that rose above the mountains. Then your voice thundered! And the water flowed down the mountains and through the valleys to the place you prepared. Now you have set boundaries so that the water will never flood the earth again.
You provide streams of water in the hills and valleys so that the donkeys and other wild animals can satisfy their thirst. Birds build their nests nearby and sing in the trees. From your home above you send rain on the hills and water the earth. You let the earth produce grass for cattle, plants for our food, wine to cheer us up, olive oil for our skin, and grain for our health.
Our Lord, your trees always have water, and so do the cedars you planted in Lebanon. Birds nest in those trees, and storks make their home in the fir trees. Wild goats find a home in the tall mountains, and small animals can hide between the rocks.
You created the moon to tell us the seasons. The sun knows when to set, and you made the darkness, so the animals in the forest could come out at night. Lions roar as they hunt for the food you provide. But when morning comes, they return to their dens, then we go out to work until the end of day.
Our Lord, by your wisdom you made so many things; the whole earth is covered with your living creatures. But what about the ocean so big and wide? It is alive with creatures, large and small. And there are the ships, as well as Leviathan, the monster you created to splash in the sea.
All of these depend on you to provide them with food, and you feed each one with your own hand, until they are full. But when you turn away, they are terrified; when you end their life, they die and rot. You created all of them by your Spirit, and you give new life to the earth.
Our Lord, we pray that your glory will last forever and that you will be pleased with what you have done.
You look at the earth, and it trembles. You touch the mountains, and smoke goes up. As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the Lord God. I hope my thoughts will please you, because you are the one who makes me glad.
Destroy all wicked sinners from the earth once and for all. With all my heart I praise you, Lord! I praise you!
The glory of God — let it last forever!
Psalm 104:31
Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 104:
God. Abba. Father.
You are great and beautiful. We praise you with all that we are! You, God, are clothed in splendor and majesty, with robes that sparkle with the Light of heaven. You have built your home in all of heaven and all of earth. You live in the hearts of men and women, yet you sail over the globe on the winds of your Spirit. You are everywhere… from the highest mountain to the depths of the sea… from rural farmlands to urban skyscrapers. Thank you that all of nature responds to your commands. You have made a promise that the earth will never be destroyed by flood. Thank you!
You care deeply not only for us, men and women created in your image. But you also give life to the animals of the fields, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. You bring forth food from the earth… wine from fruit and bread from grain. The seasons mark the time of the year. The sun determines the start of each new day. All creation depends on you. We depend on you. Thank you for your faithful provision via your wonderful creation. Let all creation sing praises to God!
Lord, your glory lasts forever! As long as we live, we will offer praise and thanksgiving to you. Hear our prayers. Turn your ears to our singing. May even our thoughts be pleasing to you. Yes, you are the One True God. You make us glad!
We praise you for your creation. We praise you for this day. We praise you for your Son, who came to set the captive free, to heal the brokenhearted, to allow us to clearly see all that you have done for us.
And it is in Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 