I really love this psalm. I feel like David hits on so many aspects of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. In my preparation for writing this, I kept thinking that this psalm just speaks for itself. It’s so rich and relatable. For me, it is one that I will want to continue to meditate on, one to use to help center and ground me in the Lord. I don’t have any great insights to add. I simply want to use this psalm as a guide for a prayer for us, faith family.
Heavenly Father,
We praise you. You saw us, you heard us through our tears and despair. We look around in our world and in our own lives and see the brokenness, we know something is not right. We feel torn by the many ways the world tries to bring us in, through lies, lust, greed, desire. It seems fulfilling at first, but then we are still left wanting, unsatisfied, stuck. We are seeking righteousness and justice, we are seeking a Savior. We praise you because you are trustworthy, you are holy, you are good. You do not require grand offerings, blind or legalistic devotion. Instead you invite us to listen, to take delight in you and your word.
Oh how wonderful is your law! You have given us the key to the best way to live. And you have done so because you love us. We are overwhelmed by your grace. This is something we should not cease to talk about! Your love and faithfulness is so amazing, I pray we never grow tired of praising you and sharing our story.
Please continue to deliver us from the evils and temptations of this world. Your mercy is not a one time thing, but something we need daily. Help us as we still struggle with shame and doubt. Give us strength to hold fast to our identity in you, when the world wants to lead us astray or put us down because of you. We pray for those we know - family, friends, coworkers, classmates - who do not know your love, do not understand, and instead seek to disgrace your name. Help us to love them well, as you have loved us.
Lord, you have saved us from our flesh. We now live in the in-between, the here and not yet. Let us not lose sight of your coming kingdom, the new heaven and the new earth. Help us as we try to follow your way, to live in this reality here and now. We rejoice in you, and eagerly await your return. Lord, come quickly!
Amen.
- Christine L.