Psalm 42

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 thirst for you. As a deer in the wilderness of the Negev, we search for springs of living water in which to drink. Yet we find none. No, all we taste are our own tears. And our friends ask: “Where is your God?”

We remember sweet times of worship, of being in your presence. On our knees and with hands lifted high. Oh, how joyous!

But today, Lord, is a downcast day. We have them from time to time, just as the psalmist did. Yet, even when we are discouraged, we reach deep into our souls and find a little trust, a little hope, a memory of joy. So, we will praise you! We know you will put a smile over our face yet. We know that we will be overwhelmed with the answers to our prayers. We look forward to your promises being revealed as if a breaking surf drenches us with your unfailing love.

Every day you are kind. Your love is generous. As we fall asleep each night, you put a song on our lips, a song of life.

Yet, there are days when we wonder where you went or why you left us? We ache from the inside out. But today is not one of those of days. No, today, even in discouragement or sadness, we will trust you. You have shown us your love over and over and over again. So, we will praise you and your holy name!

You have put a smile on our faces! You are our God, the mighty rock! You are the Holy Spirit who brings comfort and joy. You are Jesus, the author of grace and peace.

And, it is in His name we pray, Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 41

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 blessing those who are sick. When the poor and needy cry out, you protect them. You heal them and restore their strength. We thank you for the personal times when we have needed your touch and you have proven that you are always close to the brokenhearted. Though we are sinners, when we have sought your face, you are there.

Father, today, especially we pray for those who have been infected by this pandemic… those who are physically sick and those who are emotionally hurting or who have lost their businesses or their jobs. Please, Father, we call out to you, great physician. Heal our land. Heal this earth. Forgive us.

We turn to you. Thank you for turning your face towards us, not away from us.

May you be praised forever!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 40

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 waited patiently for you. And you have turned your ear to us! You have heard our prayer. You have lifted us from a lonely, desperate place. Yes, we praise you today because you have given us standing in your Kingdom. We are secure in our position with you, with our feet firmly planted on the solid rock whose name is Everlasting Counselor and Prince of Peace. You have given us words to proclaim and music to sing! We honor your everlasting name today. You are Yahweh, the great I Am, the One True God. Praise and glory are yours and yours alone!

Thank you for blessing any and all who put their trust in you! Many are the wonders you have done. Nothing, no idol made by man, compares to you. Thank you for being pleased with our obedience more than sacrifices of our time or our money or our service. Yes, we enjoy following your commands, for we know they are for our good.

We proclaim to any who will listen that you are kind, faithful and caring. By your grace you have saved us. You never fail. Your love always keeps we safe.

We confess that our actions often get us into trouble and our actions cause harm to others and ourselves. When our hearts fail, please intervene. Come quickly.  We need you. Please show us you care. May all who seek you, find you and proclaim your greatness.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 39

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 know our lives on this earth are tenuous, at best. In the grand scheme of all eternity, the few decades we walk here are just a blip. And yet, it’s all we know. And we know that, as the Apostle Paul says, our actions and works are like filthy rags. Sin comes too easily some days.

Before we know it, our lives are over; a mere vapor.

Paul continues to remind us that the wages of sin are death. And everyone sins. So, we will all face your holy judgement of death?

No. Because of your great grace, coupled with your amazing forgiveness, our future is secure. Thank you for saving us! Thank you for the work of Jesus on the cross on our behalf.

We praise you today and always!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 38

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 thank you for times of discipline, yes even times of your righteous anger directed towards us. We thank you for seasons when we have gotten physically ill from disobeying your word. Those times are ultimately for your glory and our good as they draw us back to you.

Lord, we pray that such seasons might be few and far between. We pray for wisdom to obey you. We pray that we might remember times of anguish and look for your grace to overwhelm our weak bodies. We have walked through seasons when even our friends have turned their back on us because of our sin. Forgive us. Forgive them.

Lord we wait for you. We trust you to answer us in our distress. Lord, Yahweh, do not forsake us. Thank you for the promise that you are always near to us. Come quickly to our aid. Please hurry and help. You are the One True God. You are mighty to save. Thank you for your work of redemption in our hearts and our souls. We rest in your love. Forever.

And we thank you!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 37.

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.

When we read this Psalm, we are reminded of David’s son, Solomon, who wrote the Proverbs. We thank you for these nuggets of truth that speak to deep within our hearts and minds.

Thank you for the promise that we need not worry ourselves one bit about those who do evil, even those who appear to be successful, for their deeds, even they themselves, will fade away as the grass does in the winter. Lord, we proclaim today that we trust in You. We endeavor to live right before you and man. And we thank you for your promise that you will give us our heart’s desire as we honor and obey you.

We know this is not some magic formula. This is your plan and your ways for us. We let you lead. We commit to you, trusting that because of your great love for us you will only lead us to those places that are good for our souls. We know that you will lead us to open pastures, clear and bright, like a beautiful spring morning. Today, we quiet our souls and our spirits before you. We wait patiently in faith. Help us to not fret or worry. We know that as we put our hope in you, we will enjoy all the fruits of a big harvest.

We choose today to live right before you. We would rather have you and poverty, that wealth gained unjustly. And we thank you that you give us all we have, all we need, even more than enough. We thank you for holding our hands when the way is unsure. We have confidence that you will steady our steps. Always.

Thank you for taking care of your children, oh King! Thank you for moving in us, and even through us, to bless others as you have blessed us. Thank you for the promise of your faithfulness! We thank you for defending us, even when others make false accusations against us.

We know we have a joy-filled future. Our best days are ahead of us because of the grace given to us by Jesus. May we be more like Him everyday — innocent and peace-loving.  We thank you for being with us. We can run to you in times of trouble and you will save us.

Through Jesus. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 36

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 honor you today. We offer only praise. We humbly ask you to forgive us when we are arrogant or talk in ways that are not honoring to you. We stand before you today and reject those things that are wrong. We turn to you.

Your love is faithful. It reaches far as we can see. Your decisions are just and fair. They are as vast as the highest mountain peak or deepest depth of the sea. Your love is a treasure. It is priceless. We run to you to find shelter. You give us a feast to enjoy in your house when we are famished. We drink from unending rivers of living water when we are parched and thirsty. You open our eyes to see your brilliance in glorious light.

Lord, please keep on loving us. And use us to welcome new hearts into your Kingdom. Protect us from those who are prideful and independent. They will fall in their selfish ways.

We open our hands and our hearts to you, Jesus. Always. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 35

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.

God. Abba. Father.

Some days, Lord, we feel like we are being chased into a corner. Sometimes by real enemies. Sometimes by the choices we’ve made or the circumstances of life. And sometimes, by the enemy of your righteous ways, oh God. When that happens, stand up for us. Help us. Say to us: “I am your salvation.”

Thank you, Lord. When the ungodly pursue us for believing in you, may your Holy Spirit chase them away, may they slip and fall on their way to defeat us. When we have been innocently trapped by those who seek our demise, surprise them with their own ruin.

We will celebrate and be glad when we are saved. We will sing: “There’s no one like our God! You rescue the poor and the weak. You protect the unprotected.” Oh God, while there are very few of us who are being chased to death in our day, this picture that the Psalmist describes sure looks like the preborn, safe in their mother’s womb, who are being murdered by the abortionist. Deliver them today. Protect them today. We cry out for their lives today. We also think of your son, Jesus, who was crucified on our behalf, our slaughtered Passover Lamb. We find it hard to imagine all He went through. Just because He loves us. Thank you for your mercy.

Lord, when we face times of personal injustice, when others repay our good for evil, give us the courage and the grace to pray for them. Even when we stumble and fall and others cheer for our defeat, and we wonder where you are, come to our rescue. We will worship you; we will praise you for saving us. Defend us, Lord God. We are only worthy of your liberation because of your great compassion.

We know you see it all. The good and the bad. Please, don’t be silent. Defend us. Put to shame those who exalt themselves at our expense.

We trust that you will save us. You have saved us! You, Lord, Yahweh, are wonderful! You are worthy of our praise all day, every day. We know that you work all things together for our good. And for your glory.

Yes, may you be glorified. In us and through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 34.

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.

God. Abba. Father.

We praise you with all our hearts today, Lord! Even, when we are afflicted or feeling helpless, we honor you great King! We celebrate you and eagerly tell others of your faithfulness to us.

Whenever we need you, God, you are quick to squash our anxious thoughts and fears. We look to you, Father, and we are honest with you. When we were nothing, we prayed, and you have saved us. You send your angels to protect us.

Every one of our senses — our sight, our vision, our hearing, our touch, even the things we taste — reveal your goodness to us. As we take refuge in you, we know we are blessed. We know that as we honor you, we will also have plenty. We thank you for the promise that as we trust in you, we will never miss out. Animals may go hungry, but we, your children will lack nothing.

We thank you for the promise that as we obey you, as we guard our tongues, as we do good and live in peace, you will watch over us, you will turn your ears to us. You are quick to rescue us. Even when we are discouraged and question the hope we have in you, you deliver us! We thank you that even when we are broken hearted, you deliver us! You protect us all. You are our bodyguard.

We respect with caution that those who turn their backs on you will be punished. But those who take refuge in you will find freedom! Yes, when we run to you, we are saved.

Thank you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 33.

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 join with others around the globe today in singing praises to your name! We praise you with all sorts of instruments besides our voices… with harps, with guitars, pianos and trumpets! We shout for joy because you are truthful and you are trustworthy. You love justice and fairness way more than we do, Lord. You are kind. The earth is drenched in your unfailing love.

We acknowledge the truth that it was by your hand, Lord, Yahweh, the heavens were made. The stars were created at your command. You gathered the waters into your heavenly jars to create the oceans. We honor you, oh Creator King. When you spoke, the earth was formed.

We know that your plans will ultimately prevail! Yes, you destroy the schemes of the nations that plot evil. Your plans last forever because you love the people of every generation. And you bless each country who worships you and only you, the One True God. We humbly ask that you might bless our nation, Lord.

We know, God, that you look upon the earth from your throne of grace and justice. We thank you for shaping each one of us. And you watch us each day.

We know that no kingdom on earth will succeed without first honoring you. Their armies will not. Their soldiers will not. Their horses nor the horsepower in machines will not succeed without first honoring you.

You watch from heaven. Your eye is on those who stand in awe of your holy name. You will deliver us from death and starvation.

We have great hope in knowing that you, Lord, Yahweh, you are our help and our shield. We depend on you for everything! Our hearts rejoice because we trust in you. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord. Be kind. Bless us.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.