Psalm 71

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.


We run to you today knowing that you will deliver us. You will get us out of the mess we created for ourselves. Yet, we know we will have to deal with the consequences of life and our choices.  We will rest in you, our rock and our redeemer.

We depend on you. We trust in you. We have relied on you for every single breath from the first one. Yes, we thank you and worship you for created us in our mother’s womb. We declare your praises all day long. You have taught us day after day, even since our youth. So, come close now.

Give us strength when we are old. Strength for each new day. Your kindness and your power reaches from the depths of the earth to the highest heaven. There is none like you, oh God! We have suffered, and we have learned from that suffering. You have brought each of us up from the pit and given us new life! Thank you! We will sing praises to you, the Holy One of Israel!

All day, every day, we sing your praises. You have rescued us by the strong arm of Jesus, our redeemer and Lord. And it is in His name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 70

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

Today’s prayer is very straightforward: save those who cry out to you. And, for those who refuse to bow before you? Confound their ways. Let them fall all over themselves.

We are reminded that we were once those who didn’t care about you, your people; or your holy or just ways. So, we thank you for the grace offered to us by Jesus. Oh, for the grace! We long for the prodigal family members, friends, neighbors, work associates, to come to know you personally. Our heart breaks for the ones who can’t see past their own selves or addictions. Take them to the bottom, quickly and gracefully, so they will finally look up to see your loving, outstretched arms of acceptance.

We worship and celebrate your holy name, because you are the God of fresh starts and multiple second chances. You are slow to anger and quick to forgive. Thank you.

You are the One who saves! You are our help and our deliverer. We ask that you will protect us and rescue us from those who desire our downfall. Thank you for saving us. Thank you that our salvation is assured, because of Jesus.

And it is in His name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 69

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

Some days are just so overwhelming. We are sinking. And just when we make it back to where we feel like we can get some traction, we are defeated again. We have seasons where we are just burned out. We have cried until there are no more tears. Our head hurts from sobbing so much. Our eyes are blurry. We are devastated.

There are seasons where we just can’t get a break. People scheme to take us down for no reason at all. You know our real sins, God. Forgive us. But those lies others make up, gossiping and telling untruthful things about us. What are we to do? Sometimes even those we love the most don’t understand us or our devotion to you.  Lord, you are the all powerful, the One True God. May those who trust in you, remain faithful. Our love for you is a deep, deep love.

Please answer us when we pray. Don’t let us sink back into the muck or the mire of the world’s evils. Save us. Don’t turn your face away from us. Respond with grace and love, quickly, please. Some days the scorn is quick and the insults flow freely against us. We are hurt and in pain. We need space for healing and to breathe. Because we worship you. Please bring your wrath and judgment against those who come against you. But, please, Father, extend grace and mercy to those who are evil, for they don’t know what they do. May they cry out to you. And may you respond with the same unconditional love that you have offered to us.

We will praise you, Lord, Yahweh, with a thankful heart and a song on our lips. We know that you are pleased with our worship, even more so than when we offer sacrifices.

We thank you for having compassion on the homeless and people in prison. Yes, the poor will see your goodness and be glad! You never turn your back on the truly repentant.

The heavens praise you, God, as do the birds who fly through the air. So does the sea and all the fish who swim in it. So does the land, the mountains and plains, and the animals who run swiftly in the meadows and forests.

You are the God of redemption, restoration, and rebuilding. We thank you for redeeming us. We thank you for restoring us. We thank you for rebuilding our lives. Yes, you make all things new! We praise you today!

In Jesus’ name,

Amen!

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 68

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

You are the Great I Am. You have the power to destroy those who confront your holy ways. Scatter and confound those who are evil. As your children, we celebrate who you are with great joy!

Thank you for being the great protector and provider. You are the One who has stepped out of heaven in power to take care of the fatherless and the lonely. You have set the captives free from those things that hold them in bondage.

We thank you for leading each one of us through our own seasons of wilderness or desert. You are the One who takes us all by the hand to the Promised Land. You are one who refreshes. You are the one who is generous and kind.

We praise you, Lord, for you have graciously taken our burdens. We can live lightly and freely because of your grace. You are the God who saves. We see the great procession of heaven. There are those who worship upfront. We know that it is worship that defeats those things that wish to defeat us… whether we are engaged in spiritual battles or in a face-to-face skirmish So, we choose to sing, to pray, to give, to love, to serve, to worship. And we look forward to seeing you bring the victory. Even when we feel like you are silent, we trust that you are bringing us through with great joy.  

Show us your strength, oh God. Show us your glory. We give you the highest praise. We proclaim your great power and majesty. You are awesome! You are God.

Amen!

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 67

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you that you always turn your face towards us. You are kind and bless us with peace. Thank for revealing your Son Jesus to all of us. You sent Him, in your image, to smile on us. To offer us grace and forgiveness and joy and hope. Just because you loved us so very much.

So, we praise your name! We shout with faith because of who you are, our great King!

Thank you for blessing this earth. Thank you for the physical harvest of seed and crops. And thank you for the harvest of souls as well. We pray, as you have asked us, not only for the harvest, but for harvest hands, workers, to bring in the harvest. Especially in these final days. Oh, may we be ones who will work on your behalf.

We pray you will continue to bless us all, from one end of the globe to the other.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 66

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

Today we join with psalmist in praising you, our great King! We will say of you, oh God, “There is none like you! How awesome are your deeds!” And we think of our lives and wonder at how you have been with us through it all. You have encouraged us. You have challenged us. You have blessed us. You have taken care of us. Thank you.

You are the steady rock, the one thing that never moves or fails us, Lord. You have pushed us and tested us. You have walked along side us. You are the anchor in an ocean of the waves of life that toss us back and forth. As you have pushed and prodded, you have refined us like silver. You have polished and molded us so that we humbly reflect your image as the master silversmith. You have brought us to our own Promised Land. Thank you!

We will worship you! We will, with great joy, tell others of all that you have done for us. Thank you for hearing our prayers. You are such a great listener. And you didn’t turn away from us. Even when we confessed our most terrible thoughts and sins. You have chosen to love us, unconditionally. You offer grace in abundance.

We praise you and thank you!

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 65

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

We praise you with the psalmist today for you are worthy to be praised! We thank you that everyone will eventually come to your throne, recognizing our sin-filled lives. Yes, our sin is just too much for us to bear. Our guilt consumes us. But the very good news is that you are quick to forgive us all. You have removed our sins once and for all, by the grace offered through Jesus. You have invited us to live with you and worship you in your holy place. Thank you!

You have saved us. You have answered our prayers. You are our great hope. You have created the earth out of nothing. You formed the mountains. Through your strength the oceans were filled. And all of creation responds to your commands. Yes, the whole earth is filled with awe and joy at your hands.

We thank you for the seasons of planting, watering, growing and harvesting. The hills dance and the valleys blossom. You provide for our blessing and bounty. We sing to you! We thank you for the promise of our inheritance. We join with the flowers and the animals, the grain and the clouds, the rivers and oceans, the mountains and the rolling meadows in songs of joy and praise to your holy and wonderous name. You are the Creator. You are our King. You are our Shepherd. You are our loving Father.

We love you, Lord.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 64

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

Hear our prayer. Today we need to vent. It seems there are some times when the circumstances of our lives take us down and defeat us. It’s the cruelty of strangers or the deep wounds from a friend or even harsh insults from those we love the most. Please protect us. Guard our hearts. And please forgive us when we are those people to others. Yes, we know and confess that our minds can also be cunning and our tongues ruthless.

We choose to fall on our faces before you, oh God. We are in awe of who you are and your holy ways. We bow before you and proclaim the great works of your hand. It is good for us to ponder your righteousness and aspire, by your grace, to live a zealous life as your disciples.

We rejoice in you, Yahweh. We are glad and run to your arms. Thank you for blessing your people with peace and happiness. We celebrate you today.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 63.

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

You are our God. We can’t get enough of you. Like being thirsty on a hot summer day, our heart longs for fellowship with you. We seek your face in every moment of our day today.

We have seen your power and majesty and might. Your love is generous and fulfilling. We praise you with our lips. We praise you with every breath. We praises you with our arms. We live in your great love for us.

This morning, as we awoke, we thought of you. Tonight as we go to sleep, we will think of you again. You are a very present help so we sing to you. We run and play and work freely because of you. You hold us steady, like an anchor in a perilous storm. We are safe because you are close.

We rejoice in you. In the unique and holy ways that define you, we praise You! For You are the King. Jesus is the King. The Holy Spirit is our King.

Amen!

Bonus feature today: Watch this video to go to EinGedi with me, in the desert of Israel, where David likely wrote this Psalm.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 62

Posted on by richlyspeaking

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.

The audio file below is the entire episode for today. The text below is today’s prayer. I’m reading the Contemporary English Version of the Text, copyright 1995, by the American Bible Society.

God. Abba. Father.

We rejoice in the safety we find in you today. You are our One and Only. Every good gift we have comes from you. Since you are the firm foundation of our lives, we will never be shaken.

Some days we feel like people are out to get us. They take delight in lies; they assault with gossip. Even when they pronounce blessings with their lips, they are cursing with their hearts.

So, we won’t listen to them. No, our soul finds rest and peace only in You. You alone are the mighty rock that keeps us safe. We trust in you, our refuge.

Our prayer today is that each of our friends and family will do the same… that they would find peace and rest by trusting in you, oh God. We will not trust in man or woman or their ways. We will not trust in our material possessions or finances or jobs or people, even jobs and people we love. No, our help, our glory, our eternal trust is found in the comfort of the One True God.

We thank you that our strength comes from you, Father. Yahweh, you are love. Love that never fails. And we humbly thank you that you give your good gifts to us all.

The greatest gift is your Son, Jesus. In whose name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald