Psalm 140

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 140:

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you for rescuing us! There are people in this world who are cruel to us. They intentionally stir up trouble, thinking of ways to bring us down. They hate with ease. They are arrogant. The words they speak are like venom. Keep us safe from those who are truly wicked. Forgive us when we act or ramble as they do.

You are strong and mighty. God, you are the giver of life. You have defeated death, so we know you will overthrow those who trade in destruction and planning evil. Hear our prayer. We know you are the One True God. You are merciful and full of great compassion. You are our deliverer. Thank you for answering us when we cry out to you.

Don’t let the corrupt succeed. Some days, it seems like they are at the top and running everything. Please, don’t let their plans prevail. Let them get tangled up in their own deceit and mischief.

We believe in justice, your justice. When we ask you to care for the fatherless, let us be part of the solution. When we ask you to care for the poor and destitute, let our hands bring comfort. May our actions point to you, our great King.

We are humbled that you look after us. We are called good, only because of your grace given to us. We praise you and thank you for Jesus. It is not our works that allow us to be in your presence, but it is his compassion for us. You have redeemed us with us an outstretched arm. Jesus’ arms on the cross.

We love you and praise you.

Thank you.

Because of Jesus,

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 139

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 139:

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you for seeing us. You know when we rise, when we eat, when we work. More than that, though, you know our thoughts and our hearts’ desires and dreams. You know everything about us in a deep, intimate way. Why, even before we speak, you know what we’re going to say. It is such a comfort to our souls to have someone nearby who knows us so well. Yes, you are a constant delight. We are free to just be ourselves in your presence. No masks or acting a certain way for you. No compartmental thinking. And even though you know everything about us, you continue to love us. You protect us. Thank you!

Everywhere we go, you are with us. We recall the name of your Son, Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.” From mountain tops to beaches, from the city to the forest, from our home to our place of worship, you are there. Daytime. Nighttime. Dawn. Sunset. There is no place we can go where you are not a whisper away. While it is a joy to be in your presence, remind us that we cannot hide from you either. Up in the sky, or out in the ocean, or even under the covers when we are afraid, you are by our side.

You have seen us from the moment of conception. You are the Master craftsman. You put us together, piece by piece. We marvel at how you created us. We praise you! All our days are numbered, until we leave this place and move to an eternal home.

You are always thinking about us and our good. When we do the math: All of your thoughts and plans for each person in the world… we cannot quantify it. Not in our minds, nor in any man-made computer. You are amazing and precious to us at the same time.

Whether the morning sun brings fog, rain, crisp fallen snow, or plenty of sunshine, each new day is fresh and beautiful. A new start. We delight in knowing you are with us.

Protect us Lord. Keep us from evil. Search our hearts. Forgive us. Lead us so that we may walk as you have ordained, as you have planned for us.  

Thank you for this life. Thank you for being near, and dear, to us. You are great and worthy of all praise and all glory.

Through Jesus.

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 138

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 138:

God. Abba. Father.

We praise you! We raise our hands to heaven. We kneel before your throne. We fall face-down in humility and prayer. You have been so faithful. Day after day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. You have never stopped loving us. You have never stopped caring for us. Thank you!

We have the courage and strength to face each new day because you have answered when we have asked for your help. We shake our heads in wonder, with gratitude, at your abundant compassion. We are not worthy.

Today we pray for each world leader, each corporate leader, each government leader, each ministry leader, each family leader. May the kings of the earth praise you. May they recognize your sovereign hand in their blessing.

You are high and lifted up. You are the One True God. And you care for each one of us. Though we may stumble or have troubles today, you will save us. Your right hand is ever close to us. Jesus. And He will keep us safe. He will deliver us. He will rescue us. For He has overcome the world! Thank you, Jesus!

Our Messiah, we thank you that our story is not finished. You have many chapters in our lives yet to write. You will not give up on us. You will not abandon us. Your love never fails.

We praise you.

Thank you for your grace, Jesus.

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 137

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 137:

God. Abba. Father.

There are seasons when we walk in great pain. When others have hurt us with both words and actions. And all we do is weep.

May we remember our sorrow as a time of your comforting presence, for you are always with us. When friends or family have passed away, may we recall that you mourn with us. When we have been attacked, or we carry the burden of a loved one who has faced challenging times, may we be assured that you have also suffered greatly. You urge us to recover our lives with you, to allow you to carry our burdens, to find rest in your loving arms of grace. Your perfect peace is as close as our next breath.

You are the great I Am. You are the One True God. You are the holy judge. Give us confidence to believe you will sort out the evil from the righteous. Your design is that we will all walk with you forever. Yet there are some who turn their backs on your mercy. May you deal with them as you see fit. We will trust your scales of justice.

We pray for peace to prevail in Jerusalem. We pray for our children and our children’s children. May your blessing be upon them all.

We thank you for your grace and forgiveness, for we deserve neither. We love you Lord.

We thank you for Jesus.

In His name,

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 136

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 136:

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you, Lord, that your love never fails. Like a waterfall, your love goes on forever. Your love never quits. Your love never ceases. You don’t give up. You don’t resign. You don’t forget your promises to us. Our friends, our family, our co-workers, our neighbors might abandon us in a nanosecond. But you won’t ever drop us.

You are the One True God. You will always be on our side. You are always for us. Thank you.

As the psalmist remembers your faithfulness in the Ancient Days, we choose to recall your goodness to us. When we were young and needed someone to care for us, you gave us parents. They weren’t perfect, but you took care of us through them. When we yearned to be taught, you gave us teachers. They too were flawed, but your instruction is what is written on our hearts. When we needed work, you gave us jobs. Sometimes those assignments were at the bottom of the career ladder, but you provided more than enough. When we were perplexed, you gave us clarity. When we were hungry, you fed us. When our hearts longed for companionship, you gave us spouses and caring friends. When we were angry or depressed, you have given us your perfect peace.

When we examine closely our journey, we see that you have performed supernatural miracles on our behalf, just as you did for the family of Israel in Ancient Times. You have stretched out your loving arms of grace for us. You have brought us through seasons of great storms and choppy waters. You have led us through our deserts or times of confusion as we wandered through our own wilderness.

You were with us when we have had plenty and when we have had little. You have rescued us when we were bound up by our enemies or our own foolish choices. Yes, you have set us free!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Your love is generous. It is gracious. It is kind. You are so good to us.

We praise you today.

Through Jesus.

Amen.  

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 135

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 135:

God. Abba. Father.

We worship you and praise your name today. We invite all who serve you in homes, in markets, in schools, in hospitals, in governments, in businesses, in fields, in cities, in ministries, and in houses of worship to join the crowds who bow before you. You have chosen us, your children, to be your very own people.

You are the One True God. You are greater than any other. You move as you see fit. You control nature and the weather. You bring spring rains and autumn frosts. From the first act of creation, speaking to establish the heavens and the earth, to today, you are the all-powerful. You are mighty and answerable to no one. You moved governments and people in the Ancient Days so that your will would be done. Your amazing miracles, signs, and wonders delivered your children from evil.

Do it again, Lord. In your perfect timing, bring your Kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. Your name is eternal. You were in the beginning, you are here today, you will always be. Thank you for your kind and gentle compassion towards us. You hold our hands. You guide us. Every single day. Thank you!

Forgive us when we worship things above you. Those idols have no life. They offer no hope. They are just stuff. You are spirit and you are life. You are love and you are light. You are bread from heaven and living water. You are all-powerful and you are holy. You are truth and you are justice. You are infinite and you are eternal. You are love and you are joy. We trust you. We worship you.

We sing hallelujah! We praise you!

Because of Jesus,

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 134

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 134:

God. Abba. Father.

We worship you today.

Thank you for always being present. No matter where we are. No matter when we worship. No matter who is offering praise. You are always available. You love to converse with us. You are worthy to be praised.

We lift our hands in complete surrender. Teach us how to live fully trusting you, Abba. We give you our spouses, our children, our family and friends. We give you our work or our school. We give you our hopes and our dreams. We give you our judgments and our critiques. We give you our calendars and checkbooks. We give you our communities of faith and small groups. We give you our times of rest and times of play. Teach us how to care for our hearts and our souls.

Thank you for your wisdom and counsel. No matter our situation, you offer a path. We trust you to lead.

You are the Maker of heaven and earth! Thank you for blessing us.

Through Jesus our Messiah.

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 133

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 133:

God. Abba. Father.

Today we thank you for our spiritual family. You can take people from all walks of life, with varied backgrounds, from all over the world, and bring them together as a family. Only you can do that.

It is special. It is an anointing.  You have set aside people in this world with whom we can have extraordinary relationships. Thank you for community. We cannot live without friends with whom we can share deeply. Thank you for encouraging words, unconditional love, and shoulders to cry upon.

It is life giving. Thank you for putting people in our lives who will challenge us, teach us, and hold us accountable for our actions. We cannot grow into maturity without people who will put their arm around us and guide us.

You have created us to be together with one another. Please give us unique friendships. Ones that are deeper than blood relatives. Ones where we flourish side by side. And please give us mentors that will pour their wisdom and experience into us. Allow us to do the same for others who may be less seasoned than we are.

It is good. It is pleasant. It is wonderful. It is beautiful. It is as you have planned. Thank you for friends.

Thank you for the greatest friend we have. The One who gave his life for us. Jesus.

In his name we pray.

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 132

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 132:

God. Abba. Father.

We thank you for promises kept. King David made many promises. He was faithful to keep most of them. But like all of us, he stumbled, failed, schemed, and hid. Forgive us when we veer from your prescribed path. Forgive us when we sin.

Thank you for the wonderful gift of grace at the hand of Jesus!

Thank you for keeping your promises to all of us, God. Yes, Jesus is the living king of Israel. You have kept that promise made to David that one of his sons would remain on the worldly throne. You have blessed all of us. You have provided for our daily food, shelter, and clothing. We are all victorious! And for all who bow before you, a jeweled and glistening crown awaits us in glory.

Thank you for keeping your promises to us.

You never leave us. You are as close to us as a whispered prayer.

You are faithful. You guard us and guide us.

You are our protector. We will never be defeated.

You have given us life, and life to the full. Eternal life begins again with each new dawn.

You will always comfort us. Even when we are overwhelmed or feel oppressive grief or heartache.  

You have redeemed us with the outstretched arms of our Messiah, Jesus. You have healed the broken hearted. You have given us eyes to see your glory and your truth. You have set us free.

Thank you for these and many more promises kept. We can trust you. We do trust you. We sing for joy!

Because of Jesus.

Amen!

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.

Psalm 131

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 131:

God. Abba. Father.

Let us be content today. Keep our eyes fixed on you, your great love for us, and what you have done for us. You have given us more than we need. Even more than we can imagine. With your Holy Spirit in us, we get to breathe deeply in your well of life, and life to the fullest. We can be completely satisfied by just being in your presence. Thank you.

We long to be with you. It is where we find matchless joy and rest. Give us opportunities to step away from the noise and the busyness of our schedules and, like a child, sit in your lap, Abba. Your perfect peace, your Shalom, is such a precious gift. We open our hands and our hearts today to receive it.

We trust you. Our hope is in you alone. You are the One True God. We love you and we thank you for special moments just being with you. They are more valuable than any earthly treasure.

Thank you Jesus.

Amen.

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.

(c) 2021. Rich Ronald.