The Psalms have been the prayer book of God’s people for millennia. In this expansive collection, we learn the language of answering God in every situation, out of every emotion, in every state of faith humanity experiences. This week, let us prayer together an adapted compellation of multiple psalms put together by John Ballie that teach us what to pray when in a place of great need—mentally, emotionally, physically, and in our soul.
We call up you, O Father: come quickly to us; give ear to our voice when we call to you. Let our prayers be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of our hands as an evening prayer.
O Father, open our lips, and our mouths will declare your praise.
Bless the Lord, O our souls, and do not forget all his benefits:
who forgives all our iniquity;
who heals all our diseases;
who redeems our life from the pit;
who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy;
who satisfies us with good as long as we live so that we are always young in his presence.
But who can detect their errors? Clear us from hidden faults. Clean the slate, Father, so we can start the day fresh! Keep us from stupid sins, from thinking we can take over your work.
Have mercy on us, Our Father, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out our transgressions. Wash us thoroughly from our iniquity, and cleanse us from our sin. For we know our transgressions, and our sin is ever before us.
Be to us a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save us, for you are our rock and our fortress.
We will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Father, make us lie down in safety.
Through Jesus, your Son, and our Savior. Amen.