Psalm 32.

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 thank you for forgiveness today, Lord. Your word says we all get to rejoice because our transgressions, our sins, are wiped away. You hold nothing against us when we stopped hiding from you.

Before we opened our hearts to you, our bodies were exhausted and weak. Night and day our guilt consumed us and sapped the strength from our very bones.

But once we acknowledged our failures, the pressure was gone. We thank you for the relief and joy we have found in your grace… our guilt dissolved; our sin disappeared.

We worship you Lord! You are our strong and mighty foundation. When the devastation of sin threatens to sink us, we won’t be swept away. You are our hiding place. You keep danger at bay. You surround us with songs of joy and praise and deliverance! Thank you for agreeing to teach us and to lead us. We are humbled, oh God, that you want us to be your students. Thank you for keeping your loving eye always on us.

We celebrate and sing together. You are good to your people. We trust you and thank you for shielding us with kindness and surrounding us with your unfailing love.

And, of course Lord, we thank you because forgiveness doesn’t happen today without the grace of Jesus… in whose name we pray. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 31.

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 are desperate, we run to you, God. Please don’t let us down. Hear our prayer. Rescue us. Hurry! We proclaim that you are our rock, the fortress, our one and only safe place. Guide us. Let others see that we are being led by you and your Holy Spirit. And may you be glorified. We say it again: don’t let us down. Some days we feel we are trapped by sin or addictions or behavior that just isn’t right. So we commit ourselves to you… we put our lives into your hands. We trust you.

We join with the righteous in saying how much we hate the false teaching of following man’s religious rules and orders… even those who worship idols. No, we celebrate and trust in you and you alone! You have seen our afflictions, our troubles, the heartaches of our souls. And you have care for us. You have set us free from those things that have bound us up…

We confess that we often find ourselves, however, back in the same boat of trouble time and time again. People look at us with disdain for we are here again. Even our dear friends ridicule us and want to forget that we are friends. We are broken. We are weary.

Forgive us, Lord! We trust you! You are our God. Our life is in your hands. Smile on us. Save us just because you love us. May your face shine on us. You are wonderful to us. You store up blessings for all who honor and trust you. You are our protector. We find great comfort in your holy name.

We praise you! We thank you for keeping us safe. You have delivered us, even from accusing tongues.

Thank you for protecting the faithful and those who call out to you. Thank you for your righteous scales of justice that also bring punishment to the proud and arrogant.

We thank you for the encouragement of this word to be strong and courageous. Our confidence, our hope, our trust is you and you alone. God you are Yahweh. The One True God. The Great I am.

We worship you because of Jesus, and in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 30.

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.

Oh Lord, we join with David in praising your holy name today! You have saved us. You have lifted us from the depths. And the things that go against us do not succeed. You have given us one chance after the other. You have healed us and, more importantly, you have given us your grace and life eternal.

We sing to you. We honor your holy name. Help us to stay faithful to you so we can continue to praise you, great King. We thank you for your righteous anger that is displeased when people go against your ways. Yes, we thank you. And we rejoice that your love and your kindness are much more prevalent than your anger. There are some things in this life that will cause us weeping and sorrow. But each new day is a clean slate, with no mistakes in it. And so, we celebrate the dawn! We rejoice each morning!

We confess that there are days when we sometimes believe we can do our life on our own terms. And when we lift us up over you, we shouldn’t be surprised when you turn away, we shouldn’t be surprised when we bring calamity upon our own lives.

So, when that happens, and when we reverse course and cry out to you, you are so gracious and full of great mercy. When we have made poor choices and seek your face, you have been our helper. Yes, you have turned our sorrows into joys! You have removed the garment of heaviness and filled our hearts with laughter and delight and life! So, we will not be silent. We will sing songs of great joy to your holy name. We can’t thank you enough! You are our Abba, our Father.

We raise our voices to you in great adoration. Because of Jesus, your Son and our Savior.

Amen!

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 29.

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.

Praise the Lord you His saints… whether angels above or those of us here below… together we shout praises to His holy name! He is the glorious One! You are the glorious One!

We honor you, the great I AM, Yahweh. We stand in awe of the beauty of your creation. You are holy.

We can hear your voice raging over the oceans. We can hear your voice in the thunderous clouds above. We proclaim that to hear your voice is like a symphony! At your command, trees break and mountains tremble. At your whisper the mighty cedars shatter and the peaks jump like wild colts. It’s such a beautiful word picture to see all creation eager to respond to your loving summons. Even the lightning flashes and the desert shakes. All in your temple say: “Glory to Yahweh, Glory to the Most High!”

You, Lord, are high and lifted up. Your reign from the Throne of Grace. You are in control of everything… the wind, the rain, the sun. You are even in control over pandemics and politics.

Thank you that we can count on you. We can trust you.

We are strong because of you. We can find the truest, purest peace at the end of your hand of blessing. We walk confidently in your strength and your peace.

Thank you Jesus!

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 28.

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 rock. Everything that matters to us pales in comparison. Our lives are built upon the sure foundation of your truths. Hear our prayer. Answer us when we call. We need to hear from you God, for we are lifeless without your voice. We lift our hands toward heaven and cry out to you.

Protect us from the cruel people who are two-faced, those who speak with a sweet tongue while plotting trouble. No, treat them as their hard hearts deserve. We ask you to bring your justice to those who refuse to bow before you. But, please, bring your grace and peace to those who turn to you.

Thank you for listening to our humble prayer. You are our strong shield. We know you are on our side. We trust in you and you help us. Our hearts leap for joy and we sing praises to your holy name. You are our strength. You are our great shepherd, who guides us with compassion and leads us with care.

Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 27.

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 that you are our light and our salvation. There is nothing to fear. Ever! We say it again: You are our stronghold, you protect us. We are not afraid.

Even when bad things happen to us. Even when we are bullied by the circumstances of this world. It is those who are against us who will fall. Yes, even if armies surround us, even if disaster is on our doorstep, we trust in you and you alone, great King!

One thing we ask of you Lord: let us live in your presence all the days of our lives. Let us gaze deeply at your beauty and the wonder of your creation each day. We are confident that in times of trouble, you will protect us. You will provide shelter from any calamity. So, we will praise you from the highest peak! We will sing songs of joy to your name.

Hear us when we pray. Don’t hide your face from us. You alone keep us safe. Even if those we love deeply walk away from us, we know you will never leave us. You will take care of us.

Teach us, Lord, to follow your ways. Lead us along your straight and narrow path. Even when others tell lies about us, we know we can trust in your kindness and love. We know we can find your goodness and mercy, here in the land of the living.

We thank you for these, your words of counsel: “Trust in the Lord. Be brave and strong.” We thank you for this promise. We proclaim that we will trust in you, Abba. May we be courageous as your Spirit gives us strength.

Through Jesus, our Messiah, Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 26.

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 we are standing on solid ground, the sure foundation of you and your holy word. We thank you for clearing our name in heaven. We trust in your unfailing love. We do not doubt your faithfulness. We say: examine us, Lord. Test us. Make sure we are true inside and out. Search our hearts. Let us know of anything that is untrue in our spirits. We remember your kindnesses to us. We have lived in reliance on your faithfulness. We desire nothing more than spending time with you, not with those who revile your Name.

We wash our hands, both physically and symbolically each day, Lord. We are pure before you, but only because of the grace of Jesus. We worship at your altar. We sing joyfully before you. We tell others of your great and mighty deeds, for there are many to tell. From our youngest days to today, you have been faithful to love us unconditionally and to provide us abundantly.

We love to worship you. Whether in the holy temple or in the beauty of your creation. You are everywhere and we proclaim your glory! There are those whose hands are wicked, brutal and mean. Keep us from them. Protect us. Rescue us.

Thank you! Our feet are firmly planted on your truth. We praise you every chance we get, oh Lord.

We proclaim “Hallelujahs!” to you through Jesus, our Messiah and King. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 25.

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 put our trust in you, Yahweh, only you. We give you our hearts. Thank you for your promise that all who hope in you will never be put to shame. It is those who are deceitful liars who will be humbled.

We ask you to show us your ways. Show us how you work, God. Lead us. Take us by the hand as a father takes the hand of his young child. Guide us in your truth. Teach us. Thank you for being our hope. You are our Savior.

Remember your patience with us, oh Lord. Thank you for always being kind to us, full of love and mercy. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Thank your for leading the humble to do what is right and just. Thank you that every road we travel, as we submit to you and keep your commands, will lead us to your throne.

Thank you, that though our sins are great, you have wiped the slate clean. No, because of Jesus you don’t keep score of our wrongs. He died for us to make peace between us and you. Thank you for showing the way to those who bow before you. Thank you for the assurance that our children will receive a great inheritance. We look to you great King, because you have rescued us. We are in awe of your ways. Help us to fix our eyes on you and you alone.

Show us your care, Lord. Help us to not worry about our daily struggles. Even those conflicts that rage inside us between our heart and our mind. Take away our sins. It seems there are a lot of people who don’t like us because we trust in you. Our enemies are all around. Protect us. Keep us safe. Do not disappoint us. Mend our broken hearts as we run to you. We trust in you alone, knowing you will save us!

Indeed, Yahweh, save Israel, too. We pray for peace in your land. Save your people from its troubles.

In Jesus name, Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 24.

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.

the earth. You know and love each one. You call us by name. You created rivers and oceans, mountains and valleys. And everything in between.

We ask with the Psalmist: who made climb the hill of the Lord? Who is holy enough? Who may enter His  sanctuary? You have decreed that it is only those who have clean hands and a pure heart. It is only those who do right and who do not lie. But the truth is, Father, that none of us can meet such requirements. So, it is only your Son, Jesus who may ascend your holy mountain. And, by His grace, it is all of us who have bowed our knee to Him.

We are humbled by the blessings you give to us through Jesus. You will reward us because we worship you and serve you. We ask you to open the gates of heaven, your holy gates, so that, as we seek your face, we may enter. Yes, we are called royalty because of Jesus.

But the ultimate king is our Messiah, King Jesus. He is strong and mighty. He is the One who is lifted up and honored above all. He is the only one worthy. He is our king, now, coming again, and forever!

It is Jesus! Your son. Our savior. Hallelujah!

Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 23.

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 are our shepherd. You guide us along the path of life with love and care. We truly have everything we need. Thank you for giving us places and seasons of rest when we need it. Help us to make time for rest. Thank you for refreshing our souls when we take time to drink of your living water. Help us to make time for your word. Resting in your arms is always revitalizing.

Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit and leading us to make right choices. Even when our paths take us to dark and desperate, or even lonely places, we need not be afraid for you are with us. We find comfort in you, always. We find safety in you, always. We find security in you, always.

Thank you for setting a banquet of blessings in front of us. Thank you for honoring us as your guests. We don’t deserve any honor in your presence, oh Lord. But you have anointed us, you have set us aside as your children and we have blessings and more blessings at your hand.

You are so kind to us. Your love chases us down each day. With outstretched hands we receive your grace in abundance. And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we are confident of this: we will live forever with you! We can’t imagine the beauty of your Throne, but we know we get to be there for all eternity. And we are thankful, so very thankful!

Because of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.

(c) 2020. Rich Ronald.