January 30, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» The king shall have joy in Your strength, O LORD; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 You have given him his heart’s desire, And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah 3 For You meet him with the blessings of goodness; You set a crown of pure gold upon his head. 4 He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—Length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great in Your salvation; Honor and majesty You have placed upon him. 6 For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.”

“7 ¶ For the king trusts in the LORD, And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. 8 Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You. 9 You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The LORD shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them. 10 Their offspring You shall destroy from the earth, And their descendants from among the sons of men. 11 For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform. 12 Therefore You will make them turn their back; You will make ready Your arrows on Your string toward their faces. 13 Be exalted, O LORD, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.” (Psalm 21:1-13 NKJV)

If the ruler believes in God the people know salvation

If the ruler has hope in God the people will be blessed

If the ruler trusts in God the people will live in peace

Prayerful question: Do I pray for the rulers and authorities who are over me?

January 29, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; 3 May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah 4 May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. 5 We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the LORD fulfill all your petitions.”

“6 ¶ Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.” (Psalm 20:1-9 NKJV)

I hope beyond hope God hears my prayers

I hope beyond hope God answers my prayer

I hope beyond hope for God is my hope

Prayerful question: Do I pray by faith God can do the impossible and answer far beyond what I can perceive and imagine?

January 28, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.”

“7 ¶ The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:1-14 NKJV)

The sun and the moon remind me of God’s continuous provision to all of Creation

The stars remind me of God’s order of all life and His faithfulness to all of Creation

The gift of today is God’s reminder each day is Your new present to all of Creation

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight

Prayerful question: Does my prayer bring the needs and burdens of earth to Heaven trusting God is THE hope and solution?

January 27, 2024

“29 ¶ For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall. 30 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 31 For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 32 It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect. 33 He makes my feet like the feet of deer, And sets me on my high places. 34 He teaches my hands to make war, So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. 36 You enlarged my path under me, So my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; Neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. 38 I have wounded them, So that they could not rise; They have fallen under my feet. 39 For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. 40 You have also given me the necks of my enemies, So that I destroyed those who hated me. 41 They cried out, but there was none to save; Even to the LORD, but He did not answer them. 42 Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets. 43 You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; You have made me the head of the nations; A people I have not known shall serve me. 44 As soon as they hear of me they obey me; The foreigners submit to me. 45 The foreigners fade away, And come frightened from their hideouts. 46 The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 48 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. 50 Great deliverance He gives to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore.” (Psalm 18:29-50 NKJV)

“I’m in the Lord’s Army, I’m in the Lord’s Army

I may never march with the infantry,

ride with the cavalry, shoot the artillery

But I’m in the Lord’s Army”

(A song I sang in the Salvation Army’s Junior Soldiers.)

January 26, 2024

“20 ¶ The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; According to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the LORD, And have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His judgments were before me, And I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was also blameless before Him, And I kept myself from my iniquity. 24 Therefore the LORD has recompensed me according to my righteousness, According to the cleanness of my hands in His sight. 25 With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; With a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless; 26 With the pure You will show Yourself pure; And with the devious You will show Yourself shrewd. 27 For You will save the humble people, But will bring down haughty looks. 28 For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.” (Psalm 18:20-28 NKJV)

The Lord made me righteous and then rewarded me

The Lord guides my hands and makes me fruitful

The Lord by His mercy guides me to be merciful

The Lord Lights my lamp to enlighten my darkness

Prayerful question: Does my prayer offer thanks to God for rewarding me for what He has made me?

January 25, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said:» I will love You, O LORD, my strength. 2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. 4 The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of the hills also quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry. 8 Smoke went up from His nostrils, And devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down With darkness under His feet. 10 And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret place; His canopy around Him was dark waters And thick clouds of the skies. 12 From the brightness before Him, His thick clouds passed with hailstones and coals of fire. 13 The LORD thundered from heaven, And the Most High uttered His voice, Hailstones and coals of fire. 14 He sent out His arrows and scattered the foe, Lightnings in abundance, and He vanquished them. 15 Then the channels of the sea were seen, The foundations of the world were uncovered At Your rebuke, O LORD, At the blast of the breath of Your nostrils. 16 He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, From those who hated me, For they were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the LORD was my support. 19 He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:1-19 NKJV)

God is my rock

God is my shield

God is my sword

God is my fortress

Prayerful question: Does my prayer cry out for God’s provision and protection?

January 24, 2024

“8 ¶ Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings, 9 From the wicked who oppress me, From my deadly enemies who surround me. 10 They have closed up their fat hearts; With their mouths they speak proudly. 11 They have now surrounded us in our steps; They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth, 12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey, And like a young lion lurking in secret places. 13 Arise, O LORD, Confront him, cast him down; Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword, 14 With Your hand from men, O LORD, From men of the world who have their portion in this life, And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their possession for their babes. 15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Psalm 17:8-15 NKJV)

I desperately need Your love God

I desperately need Your pleasure God

I desperately need Your protection God

Then I and my children can see Your face

Prayerful question: Does my prayer cry out for my physical and spiritual children?

January 23, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Prayer of David.» Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. 2 Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright. 3 You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. 4 Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer. 5 Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip. 6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech. 7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You From those who rise up against them.” (Psalm 17:1-7 NKJV)

Hear my cry to You my Lord

You have made me righteous

You test my life to refine me

So by faith I live in victory

Prayerful question: Does my prayer lead me to being made right by God so I can live a victorious life by faith?

January 22, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Michtam of David.» Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust. 2 O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.” 3 As for the saints who are on the earth, “They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” 4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god; Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, Nor take up their names on my lips. 5 O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. 6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. 7 I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.”

“8 ¶ I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. 10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. 11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:1-11 NKJV)

Our prayers are more precious than gold

a psalm of stamped gold from our lives

our lives engraven onto a precious tablet

an inscription of our lives offered to God

Prayerful question: Do you consider your prayer to be of value to you, those you lift up and most of all to God?

 Easton’s Bible Dictionary – Michtam (Miktam)

writing; i.e., a poem or song found in the title of Psalm 16. Some translate the word "golden", i.e., precious. It is rendered in the LXX. by a word meaning "tablet inscription" or a "stelograph." The root of the word means to stamp or grave, and hence it is regarded as denoting a composition so precious as to be worthy to be engraven on a durable tablet for preservation; or, as others render, "a psalm precious as stamped gold," from the word kethem , "fine or stamped gold."

January 21, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David.» LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change; 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:1-5 NKJV)

Help me God walk rightly

Help me God work rightly

Help me God speak rightly

Help me God see rightly

So I will never move from You

Prayerful question: Does prayer help me live closer to and more like God?

January 20, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.”

“4 ¶ Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD? 5 There they are in great fear, For God is with the generation of the righteous. 6 You shame the counsel of the poor, But the LORD is his refuge. 7 Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD brings back the captivity of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.” (Psalm 14:1-7 NKJV)

The fool believes there is no God and they are corrupt

The fool says there is no God but God sees their heart

The fool devour other people as though they are things

The fool will be defeated for God sets the captive free

Prayerful question: Does your prayer reach beyond the foolish thoughts of this time and rejoice in God as your refuge?

January 19, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? 3 Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death; 4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved. 5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me.” (Psalm 13:1-6 NKJV)

How long will You forget me God

How long will I live in daily sorrow

Open my eyes to see Your salvation

I will sing to my Lord in hope and joy

Prayerful question: During your prayer are you honest with God with how you feel? (Remember, God knows your heart already!)

January 18, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. On an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.» Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. 2 They speak idly everyone with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak. 3 May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, And the tongue that speaks proud things, 4 Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; Who is lord over us?” 5 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.” 6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. 7 You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. 8 The wicked prowl on every side, When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.” (Psalm 12:1-8 NKJV)

Help us God for those who live for You are few

In pride many speak openly from a double heart

Many speak with flattering lips causing harm

For the sake of the poor and needy arise our Lord

Prayerful question: Does your prayer seek God’s help for the weak who are oppressed?

January 17, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.» In the LORD I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”? 2 For look! The wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow on the string, That they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”

“4 ¶ The LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. 5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. 6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind Shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.” (Psalm 11:1-7 NKJV)

“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”

If the foundation of the Bible is ignored what can the righteous do

If the foundation of faith is too small what can the righteous do

God help relay in us the foundation of faith in You and the Bible

Prayerful question: Do you use the Bible as a source to guide you in your prayers?

January 16, 2024

“12 ¶ Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. 13 Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, “You will not require an account.” 14 But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, To repay it by Your hand. The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; Seek out his wickedness until You find none. 16 The LORD is King forever and ever; The nations have perished out of His land. 17 LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, 18 To do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may oppress no more.” (Psalm 10:12-18 NKJV)

God rises to lift the humble

He is the helper of orphans

He breaks the power of evil

He is justice to the oppressed

Prayerful question: Does your prayer seek to lift up those in need and ask God to break the power of evil?

January 15, 2024

“1 ¶ Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble? 2 The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; Let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD. 4 The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. 5 His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; As for all his enemies, he sneers at them. 6 He has said in his heart, “I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.” 7 His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. 8 He sits in the lurking places of the villages; In the secret places he murders the innocent; His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. 9 He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; He lies in wait to catch the poor; He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. 10 So he crouches, he lies low, That the helpless may fall by his strength. 11 He has said in his heart, “God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.”” (Psalm 10:1-11 NKJV)

Where are You God

You are with me

Are You hiding God

You are with me

Prayerful question: Does your prayer honestly express your fears and then receiving the strength of hope?

January 14, 2024

“11 ¶ Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. 12 When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. 13 Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, 14 That I may tell of all Your praise In the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in Your salvation. 15 The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; In the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; The wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah 17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, And all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten; The expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. 19 Arise, O LORD, Do not let man prevail; Let the nations be judged in Your sight. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD, That the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah” (Psalm 9:11-20 NKJV)

I sing praises about the glorious God

I sing praise God remembers me

I sing God Lifts me above death

I sing praise God is my justice

Prayerful question: Does your prayer recognize God is working in your life and the world?

January 13, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Death of the Son.” A Psalm of David.» I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. 3 When my enemies turn back, They shall fall and perish at Your presence. 4 For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. 5 You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 6 O enemy, destructions are finished forever! And you have destroyed cities; Even their memory has perished. 7 But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. 8 He shall judge the world in righteousness, And He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness. 9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. 10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” (Psalm 9:1-10 NKJV)

You will not forsake us God

You rebuke those who harm

You are a refuge the harmed

You will not forsake us God

Prayerful question: Is the foundation of your prayer the faithfulness and power of God?

January 12, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David.» O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! 2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.”

“3 ¶ When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. 6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen—Even the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1-9 NKJV)

There are no words to sing Your praise God

You are more than any word can encompass

You have shown us more than love and grace

You remember and give us honor and glory

There are no words to sing Your praise God

Prayerful question: Does your prayer praise God beyond words?

January 11, 2024

“10 ¶ My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. 11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready. 13 He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts. 14 Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; Yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit and dug it out, And has fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His trouble shall return upon his own head, And his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. 17 I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Psalm 7:10-17 NKJV)

You are a just judge God

You are against the wicked

The evil destroy themselves

God please defend me I pray

Prayerful question: Does prayer make me more aware of the evil in the world and in me?

January 10, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Meditation of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite.» O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me, 2 Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands, 4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause, 5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah 6 Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded! 7 So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; For their sakes, therefore, return on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me. 9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.” (Psalm 7:1-9 NKJV)

Sing of salvation

Sing for salvation

Singing salvation

Sing of salvation

Prayerful question: Does my prayer have the hope of salvation for me and for others?

January 9, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. On an eight-stringed harp. A Psalm of David.» O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! 5 For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. 7 My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.”

“8 ¶ Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD has heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer. 10 Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; Let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly.” (Psalm 6:1-10 NKJV)

Have mercy God for I am weak

Save me God for Your mercy

Deliver me to praise Your name

Help God with my pain and grief

Prayerful question: Do I believe God hears my cries and cares?

January 8, 2024

“7 ¶ But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face. 9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. 10 Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You. 11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. 12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:7-12 NKJV)

Lead me God for I am lost

Show me the way to Yourself

Keep me from the destroyers

In faith help me shout for joy

Prayerful question: Does my prayer guide me in the Way, which is Jesus?

January 7, 2024

“1 ¶ «To the Chief Musician. With flutes. A Psalm of David.» Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. 4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.” (Psalm 5:1-6 NKJV)

Hear me in the morning

whenever I pray

Hear me at noontime

whenever I pray

Hear me at suppertime

whenever I pray

Hear me at bedtime

whenever I pray

Prayerful question: Does my prayer come before God all times everyday?

January 6, 2024

“1 ¶ For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments. Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies? Interlude 3 You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. 4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude 5 Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD.”

“6 ¶ Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, LORD. 7 You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:1-8 NLT)

I sing my cry to You my God

Let the music of Creation join

I will wait patiently await God

The Lord WILL answer as I call

Prayerful question: Does my prayer get lost in the noise of my anger and sin?

January 5, 2024

“1 ¶ «A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son.» LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

“4 ¶ I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah” (Psalm 3:1-8 NKJV)

My sin will cause my destruction

O Lord be my shield

I need God’s help in all I face

O Lord be my help

Prayerful question: Does prayer lead me from fear to courage and from weakness to strength?

January 4, 2024

“7 ¶ “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’””

“10 ¶ Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 2:7-12 NKJV)

To Jesus all of Creation is an inheritance

To Jesus belongs all authority and power

Worship and fear the Lord Jesus the Son

Love Jesus or wrath leads to destruction

Prayerful question: Do I pray worshiping, fearing and trusting in God?

January 3, 2024

“4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. 5 Then He who sits in the heavens shall laugh, And distress them in His deep displeasure: 6 “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.”” (Psalm 2:4-6 NKJV)

We think we are strong – but we are not

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh

We think we are wise – but we are not

The Lord shall hold them in derision

Prayerful question: Am I praying to a god I created or the glorious God Who is the Creator?

January 2, 2024

“1 ¶ Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.”” (Psalm 2:1-3 NKJV)

Why is their so much anger in the world

Why do evil plans surround the weak

Why do evil come together to destroy

They plan against the Lord and will fail

Prayerful question: What part does prayer play in overcoming evil?

January 1, 2024

“1 ¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”

“4 ¶ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1:1-6 NKJV)

Dig my roots deep into God’s soil

Spread them far as they can reach

May they reach the Living Water

May they feed on the Living Word

Prayerful question: What part do you have in prayer? Do you just ask and then wait or do you take part in the answer?

 Singing a Psalm today

The Psalms are songs coming from the heart of those who have written them down. Each Psalm Is a very human heart cry and may not be doctrinally correct but are very real and very human.

Each Psalm Is a reminder God wants And desires To listen to the very real Cries and even screams of our hearts. We may want to hide the anger and fury in our hearts but God knows all we are thinking and who we are. Each song reminds us God desires and is willing to listen to our very thoughts and desires.

Through the psalms may you learn to humbly, expectantly, desperately and even angrily cry out to God and sing your own psalm to God!

When my children were young they loved to watch Sesame street and a song written by Joe Raposo still is a blessing to me.

Sing, sing a song

Make it simple to last

your whole life long.

Don’t worry if it’s not good enough

for anyone else to hear

just sing, sing your song.

May you find your own song and lift it up to God, the only audience that matters!

Authors note

“Come now, and let us reason together,”

““Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV)

Prayer is how we are able to “reason” with God no matter who we are or how we live. Reasoning with God allows us to converse with God by sharing our feelings and needs while also listening to God’s guidance and call.

To me it is amazing God even desires to listen to us but it is breathtaking God desires to reason and converse with us! This is a reminder Jesus died so we could once again have a relationship with our creator.

If you decide to sing your way through the Psalms take this opportunity to converse and reason with God who longs to communicate with you.