Psalm 52

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 proclaim today that you are the One True God. You are in control. Your mercy triumphs over evil. Every time. Every day. Even today. Forgive us when we practice deceit or gossip. We don’t want to be like those who trust in their own plans. No, we trust you. We thank you that you have our best in mind. Every good gift we have is a gift from you.

We thank you that you say we are like a strong olive tree in your garden. We are flourishing because of your grace. We don’t know how you do it, but you use us to bring healing and health to others, just as anointing oil does for the king. Thank you!

We praise you for who you are and what you have done! We can count on your love all the days of our lives. We sing songs of joy when we gather with others. You name is our hope. Your name is our grace. Your name is our love. Your name is our faith.

Your name is Emmanuel. Jesus. God with us.

And it is in Jesus’ name we pray today. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 51

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 are humbled by your great grace today, oh King. Thank you for your mercy, compassion, and unfailing love. You have washed away all our sin. Even the most offensive sin, which is all sin, you have thoroughly erased. We are undeserving of such forgiveness. From deep in our hearts we offer our gratitude and praise.

Even when we have committed such acts of evil against each other, it is truly against you that we have sinned. For you are the neighbor, the friend, the family member, the classmate, the co-worker whom we have offended. You are the One we have wronged. So, we ask you to forgive us, conceive a new, true life deep within our souls. Cleanse us, wash the filth off of us so that we are whiter than freshly fallen snow. Indeed, thank you for your complete leniency given to us because Jesus took on our sins at the cross. We rejoice that you have made a fresh start in us. Yes, you have put a new wind in our sails and breeze on our faces. Our feet dance and our hearts are filled with great joy for you have given us your Holy Spirit.

Lord, help us to speak and to teach others of your love and generosity. We know that the only thing you require is repentance… not offerings, not sacrifices, not going through the motions nor striving for perfection. We give you our broken and contrite hearts, confident that you will not despise us, but that you will continue to refresh our Spirits.

Thank you for honoring Jerusalem. We pray now for peace in your holy city, from Mount Zion to the Mount of Olives. May your Kingdom come to Israel, to the United States, to everywhere across the globe, as it is in heaven.

May you be delighted in our praise and in our prayer today, humbly given in the name of Jesus, our Savior.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 50

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.

From the rising of the sun in the east, to its setting in the west, we proclaim you are God, Yahweh, the One True God. You shine brightly from Zion because that is where your son Jesus rose again in splendor!

We thank you for being the Holy God. The fair judge. You set the standards. You are the God of justice. Your rulings are always honest. We thank you that you have decreed you don’t require animal sacrifices. For you have provided the only sacrifice that matters. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, who was sacrificed on our behalf.

Thank you that you created every animal in the forest, every bird in the air. Thank you that you own them all. Yes, even, the cattle on a thousand hills. And you can give any or all for our provision.

We thank you for your declaration that the only sacrifice you desire from us is for us to be thankful and to obey your word. Give us the courage and strength to be obedient.  We thank you and we worship you for Jesus’ sacrifice and grace, which gives us access to you in times of trouble and times of rejoicing alike!

Thank you for your holiness and your high standards. You abhor the wicked, the thief, the liar, the gossip and the adulterer. Yet, because of the provision of your compassion and forgiveness, you will welcome all who repent and turn to you. Thank you for your great love! Thank you for your promise to show us your salvation as we worship and obey you.

We bring glory to your name, not to ours. We honor and worship you with the psalmist today, in Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 49

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 for common sense and wisdom, given to all who ask. We rest in your promises God. We will not be afraid when we are cornered by our foes. Forgive us for being jealous of their success. We will not boast in our wealth, or lack thereof. We know that we will all face a physical death and absence from this life. Everyone dies. In spite of their wealth, or in spite of their poverty. We leave it all behind.

We take nothing with us. But there are things we can do to provide for our endless inheritance. Yes, there is just one thing that we can invest in for our eternal future. Thank you for the encouraging words of Jesus in Matthew 6: “Store up your treasures in heaven, where moth and rust cannot destroy them and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.” (v 20). Help us to value only those spiritual, heavenly, eternal things that Jesus talked about. Teach us how to stockpile heavenly treasures. Teach us to value the things of our hearts, the things we love.

Thank you that death is a natural order of life. Let us not worry about it. Thank you that death is not the end, just the beginning of another season. Thank you for rescuing us from eternal death. Your Son paid the price for our lives with His death, and resurrection. We rejoice in knowing that we will live. We are not physical bodies with a spirit. But we are spiritual beings with a body. Our human glory ultimately disappears. But your glory is forever!

So, we praise you and sing songs of worship for this perfect plan for us. We thank you for loving us and sending your Son to be our salvation.

In His name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 48

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 wonderful and we praise your name! Your temple in the time of David was on Mt. Zion. Strong and beautiful. Sacred and holy. Your citadels and ramparts defined your great power and might. And we rejoice because it was the crown of your majesty.

But the temple is not there in Jerusalem any longer. Your word says “the tabernacle is among men” now. Yes, Jesus is our King. He lives in the spiritual hearts of men and women. No one, past, present or future, will ever be able to defeat you! No one is able to take you from your reign on the throne of grace and truth.

We ponder your great love. Your name, God, still evokes a train of Hallelujahs wherever it is spoken. We are thankful that your temple is no longer in a single location on a single mountain top. Your temple is wherever we are, because we are your children, created in your image, fearfully and wonderfully made. And you are to be praised around the earth! Jesus is our Savior and our judge. He is righteous, holy and true.

When we see the ancient city, the strong walls and towers, we are reminded of your strength and protection in our lives, even thousands of miles from the City of David. When we dream of climbing the heights of your fortress, we are dreaming of worshipping you in heaven. We will share this dream with our children and our children’s children. For it is not a dream, but reality. We see you in the Land of the Living. We see you in the simplicity of the infant or the complexity of a bee hive. We see you in the feathers of the birds in the sky above and in the garden flowers nestled in the soil. You are everywhere we look. And we praise you!

Your love guides us forever and forever. Today, we worship you and your Son Jesus, in whose name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald

Psalm 47

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 sing praises and applaud your greatness, mighty God! We shout, “Joy to the king of Kings!”

You, Yahweh, are the One True God. You are the Most High. You rule the earth. You have put every nation under your authority. Then you give the power to rule to your chosen people, those who call you Father and submit to your Lordship. You have given us a great inheritance. You have given the people of Israel their Promised Land.

We join with believers around the world in singing praise to you as you sit high on your great Throne of peace and grace. We worship you and only you today. We thank you for the deliverance from pestilence and the outcomes of elections. Everything and everyone will bow down to worship you. Heaven and nature proclaim your prominence over the birds of the air, the fish in the sea, man and woman on earth. You are greater than governments and economies, universities and cultural entertainment.

You rule the world! Your Throne is holy. Your judgements are just. One day, everyone on earth will worship at your feet. You are to be praised above all else.

You are the Mighty God. You are the Comforting Holy Spirit. You are the grace of Jesus. And it is in His name we pray.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 46

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 quiet our hearts before you. You are the all-powerful, One True God. Nations the world over will one day completly honor you and praise your holy name. Yes, you are the mighty fortress. Our refuge when the world seems spinning out of control. You are our safe place. We proclaim that we won’t be afraid in times of trouble or turmoil. No, we can stand confidently. Even when the oceans roar. Even when governments topple.

You bring living water to all who are thirsty… a river of joy that flows from your Holy Throne. We open our hands and splash in the quenching delight — your presence — that you have for us all!

We trust you. We thank you that we can remain calm, resting in the love and peace you have given freely to each of us as we walk this earth. You have done great and mighty things for us. And we know you will continue to bless us with your grace. We receive your help today. We quiet our souls in stillness. We’re reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 6 as your son encouraged us: “Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” You are God. Yes, Lord, we calmly rest in you… fixing our eyes and our hearts on you… sensing your grace.

Today. This day. We thank you and praise you!

In Jesus’ name.

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 45

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 for the ritual and expression of love that is marriage. Thank you that you have a special place in your heart for a man and a woman who choose to be married. Thank you for the holiness of matrimony. We pray for the marriages in our lives today, God. Bless them. Encourage them. Unite husbands and wives – this beautiful symbol of the marriage of the Church and Your Son. Thank you for the ancient wedding tradition of a husband making a room ready in his father’s house and that you said that you are going to prepare a place for us in heaven. Thank you for seeing us as your bride, Jesus. We look forward to your return!

Your throne, Father, will last for ever and ever. You are just and true. You love right and hate wrong.

Thank you for the strength of groomsmen and the beauty of brides. We worship you today and bow before you. We pray for marriages that are struggling. As husband and wife seek your face, please shine your grace and love on them. We pray for unbelieving spouses. Bring healing. Bring restoration. Bring hope. Your hope.

In Jesus name, Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 44

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.

There are some season when we identify with the psalmist and we wonder where you are or why our prayers have not been answered. We thank you for times in the past when you were quick to speak or act. We praise you for times when you defeated those things that had defeated us. You showed your righteousness to us, or to our ancestors. You demonstrated your great love to us for your glory.

Yes, you are our King! You are the victorious One! We are always grateful.

And yet, there are seasons… so, we ask that you would give us confidence to wait in the silence. We trust completely in your unfailing love and your plan for our lives. Come, Lord Jesus! Deliver us. Don’t let others mock us because of you. Yet, if they do, let us remain strong and courageous.

We lift our hands to you. We trust only in you. Even if we face death for our beliefs, we know you will redeem us. You have redeemed us, by your mighty right hand… by Jesus… through His suffering and through His grace, we are saved.

Just because you loved us first. And we thank you and praise you! Always.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 43

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, Lord, that you have defended us. Our names are written in your holy book. Deliver us from unfaithful leaders and deceitful liars.

We run to you! Thank you for sending Jesus to be our light, the lamb who is the light as John says in the Revelation. We are led by your Holy Spirit to your Throne. We worship at your altar because you have made us glad! You are our God, the One True God! We praise you and sing joyfully. We play songs on instruments that accompany our shouts of thanksgiving!

We fix our eyes on you! We will praise you in the morning. We will praise you in the evening. We praise you all day long!

Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.