Psalm 130

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 130:

God. Abba. Father.

There are some days when we feel like we have hit the bottom. There’s nowhere to go but up, but we can’t seem to find a hold on anything. Life is slipping away. We stare up with hands on our hips in wonder. Are you there, God? Hear our cries for help.

We know you are right here in this pit with us. You hear our cries. You put your arms around us. There is no one who cares more about this dry cistern we are stuck in than you. If you kept score of our failures, of the number of times we have ended up at the bottom, we would never get out. Yet thankfully, you do not keep a tally. There is no jumbotron or scoreboard in heaven. Thanks to the work of Jesus on the cross, your specialty is grace and forgiveness. Our minds nor our hearts can comprehend the vastness of your love and compassion.

You are here. We trust in you. We hope in you. We know you have the means to lead us to the way that leads to our freedom. So, lead on, great King! We watch. We wait. The clock ticks. The sweat drips. The heart races. We are nervous. Yet we keep on trusting. We keep on hoping. We keep on watching. We will see the dawn of a new day! We will discover the beauty of your restoring and making all things new. Thank you.

We are humbled by your love for us. It takes us to our knees. Everything you create you have a plan to redeem. You will rescue us. You will heal our broken hearts. You will set us free. This pit will be a thing of the past! With mercy and power and grace and forgiveness and joy… you will do it!

We bow before you with great thanksgiving. For you have done it. It is finished. Our deliverance is here. Our perfect peace has come at the hand of the Prince of Peace and the King of kings.

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 129

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 129:

God. Abba. Father.

Today we thank you for Israel and its special place in your heart. The people of The Land have suffered greatly throughout the years. Most of its neighboring nations would prefer that Israel not exist. Yet God. You have protected this special place. You have kept The Land safe.

Most who live there honor your name. Bless them. And to those who would welcome its demise, only you know their hearts. May you bring your holy judgment. In your time.

Our prayer is that there would be peace throughout The Land. From the lush plains of the Shephelah, to the desert around the Salt Sea. From the northern-most Mt. Hermon to the fertile crescent and the Galilee. From the metropolitan cities along the Mediterranean to the villages along the Jordan River. Bring your grace. Bring your truth.

Thank you for this special place. Yet, let us also be reminded that while our savior walked the dusty roads of Jerusalem he lives in our hearts, in the lives of those who have bowed their knee to the infant son born in Bethlehem, who is our risen King!

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 128

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 128:

God. Abba. Father.

We walk in obedience to you and your word. You have promised to bless those who follow “the straight and narrow.” By your Holy Spirit we have endeavored to respect and honor and obey you. So, we humbly open our hands and our hearts to receive what you have for us: Grace. Goodness. Blessing. Happiness. Joy. Abundant harvest. Thank you, dear Father, for taking care of us, your children.

Thank you for family. For wives and husbands and children. For grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The family is a special place. Fill our homes with your grace and your peace. Give us patience and understanding. We thank you for the word picture that for those whose households serve you and honor your name, you have ordained a rich harvest of the choicest fruits and grains and new shoots of growth straight from the deepest roots.

This is a promise is for all who revere you, oh Yahweh.

Thank you.

We pray for your hand of blessing on Jerusalem and your people. And in our land as well. Thank you for calling us to your special place.

Thank you for a long life… one that lingers into grandparenthood. Yes, may we all enjoy the grace and life of many future generations. We thank you, again, for our family.

And for those who struggle with relationships, we ask for a special season of grace, peace, and understanding. May families find a place not just where they survive, but where they thrive under your loving hand.

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 127

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 127:

God. Abba. Father.

We need you. We ask you to not only bless our actions but get right in the middle of them, Lord. We know that unless you are intimately involved in our lives every day, we labor in vain. Teach us to go only where you lead. We desire that everything we do brings you glory and honor. We wouldn’t want it any other way.

We thank you for watching over us. We submit our lives, our conduct, our desires, and our dreams to you. Let us rest confidently in your care for us. Let us rest peacefully in your love for us.

And thank you for our children. They are a gift from you. Each day we celebrate all that they are learning, all that they are doing. Bring godly people into their lives to walk with them, to mentor them, to encourage them. Our children are part of the legacy of faith you have graciously given to us. Let us not spoil these beautiful offerings of your love and heritage. But we will cherish them and the generations that follow.

We lift up those today whose children are in a difficult place. Or who are childless. Bless them with your perfect peace.

We thank you for the greatest gift you have ever given us. Your son, Jesus.

In His name we pray with gratitude and love.

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 126

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 126:

God. Abba. Father.

We remember sweet times of answered prayer. When you brought family and friends together. When you gave blessings and we cheered with great joy. When you ushered in new life. When you escorted us to that sweet spot of service. When you led us to safe places and beautiful seasons of rest.

We marveled at the work of your hands. We celebrated with laughter and songs of praise. We exclaimed, “God has done this! It is a miracle! He is amazing!”

We humbly ask you to do it again, Father. Bring life where there is death. Bring flourishing where there is barrenness. Bring rain where there is drought. Bring light to the darkness. We have planted in tears. We are desperate. We need you.

Restore to us that which has been ravaged. May we sing anew with great joy. Swing wide your doors of blessing once again.

Let us find delight in your presence.

We sing your praises. Always. For you are faithful.

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 125

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 125:

Lord. Abba. Father.

We proclaim today that we trust you, our protector, and our mighty rock. We can always depend on you. You cannot be moved. You are not shaken by the whims of culture. You are our firm foundation. We build our lives up from the bedrock of your love and your grace which always surrounds us.

We see wickedness in the world. There is evil that tempts us and seeks to pounce at a moment’s notice. Forgive us when we let the popular garbage of the day fill our thoughts and our minds and our lives. Deliver us from the evil one. One day, there will be no more hurt, no more pain, no more abuse, no more fraud, no more lies.

Those who refuse to follow the ways of life and truth will be brought to justice. There will be peace throughout the Land. We pray, “Come, Lord Jesus, come.”

And, indeed, that day is here… it was a day that began the moment Jesus walked out of the tomb. Alive! He is our conquering King! He has given us his Holy Spirit, in whom we find strength, boldness, joy, peace, and love. And he will come again. Soon! We worship and praise the One True God!

In Jesus’ 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 124

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 124:

God. Abba. Father.

Thank you, Lord. We celebrate with humility your presence with us. When you are here, nothing will defeat us.

Sickness is defeated.

Poverty is defeated.

Addictions are defeated.

Worry is defeated.

Fear is defeated.

Pain is defeated.

Loss is defeated.

Mourning is defeated.

Death is defeated.

We praise you Lord!

Thank you for being with us. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for freeing us. Thank you for restoring life to us. The grip of everything hurtful has been broken. You make everything new again. You have never left us. You are always here.

We are humbled as we rejoice! Nothing will ever separate us from your unconditional love! We are victorious!

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 123

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 123:

God. Abba. Father.

We lift our eyes to the heavens and praise your holy name! You are the One True God. You are the maker of heaven and earth. You were before time began. You are with us now. You will always be.

You care about us deeply. Whatever is of concern to us is of concern to you. We thank you for hearing our prayers. You have been faithful to answer us in the past. We trust you will answer us now. Fill us with your Holy Spirit. Like a lover who runs to his beloved across the meadow, we fix our eyes on you with joy and anticipation.

Yet, some days we feel defeated and without hope. Let us not face our doubts alone. We look to you, and to our community of faith, to encourage us, to challenge us, to minister to us. Have mercy, Lord. Have mercy. We need you. Our cities and towns need you. Our governments need you. Our world needs you. We need your grace. We need your wisdom.

Those who have turned their backs on you are quick to insult your followers and take advantage of us. Thank you for showing us your compassion and unconditional love. Thank you for being with us. We trust you, oh great King of kings.

Through Jesus 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 122

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 122:

God. Abba. Father.

We love to worship you. Whether it is in our home, among tall trees in the woods, walking along the beach, in the heart of the city, or in a building designed for worship. You are with us always. We worship your holy name.

But there is something special about praying, singing, and communing with you in Jerusalem. It is where your people first declared your glory. It is where your temple stood in the ancient days. It is where our Savior walked on cobblestone streets. It is where he proclaimed the good news. It is where he set people free from the bondage of sin. It is where he gave sight to the blind and healed the brokenhearted.

Today, as there has been since its founding, joy is found in Jerusalem. But there is also much angst. There is conflict and contentiousness. We weep knowing what happened to our Lord there. Yet, our hearts also leap for joy knowing that His life did not end in Jerusalem. No, our eternal life began in Jerusalem when He walked out of that tomb. So, we sing Hallelujah!

Today, we pray for the peace of the City of David. We humbly ask you to bring the perfect peace that is defined as “shalom” throughout its streets, businesses, and homes. And may your perfect peace radiate from there to the rest of the world.

We see the storied history of Jerusalem as a parallel for our own lives… filled with seasons of conflict, deep sadness, hope and great joy. Give us your perfect peace. We ask for your boldness and courage to be carriers of that special peace to those we meet today. May your love be reflected through our hearts and actions to others.

In the name of the One who is the Prince of Peace: 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 121

Posted on by richlyspeaking

Here is today’s prayer from Psalm 121:

God. Abba. Father.

When we see nothing but obstacles in our path, let us remember that our strength comes from you. We will not be dismayed by hardships. We will not be frightened by trials. We will take courage from you, our maker, our guardian, our protector. You are the One True God. You are our Lord.

Thank you for being with us every step we take. You never sleep. You are always on watch. When our trust is in you to lead, when we are carefully following, we will not fall, we will not trip, we will not stumble. Our footing is assured and steady when you are showing us the way. You provide just the right amount of help. No matter the time of day, or even the place. You are our guide, like arrows on trees in the woods. You are our shelter, like an umbrella during a spring rain. We find respite in your presence. We find peace in your leadership.

Thank you for protecting us. Thank you for guarding us. Thank you for being our shepherd, our navigator, our advisor, our faithful friend, and our savior. You have promised to watch over us, now and in the age to come. We are humbled by your care and your love.

Thank you.

In Jesus’ 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.