RELATIONAL PRAYER
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Opening Prayer
Forgive me, Lord, when my prayers are more automatic than inspired by my relationship with you. Help me to come to you without distraction and with words heartfelt with praise and adoration.
Read PSALM 138
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Of David.
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What inspires you most to pray?
This is the first of a run of eight consecutive psalms attributed to David—either as part of his collection, or as penned by him. It’s the kind of psalm he would come up with following the victories outlined in yesterday’s reading. The overriding sense is thanksgiving (vv. 1–3)— something we often forget when God answers our prayers! My most frequent prayer tends to be ‘Lord, help me!’ and I try to remember to thank him when he does!
There is expectation here, too (vv. 4–6), the realization that the ‘kings of the earth’ will also praise the Lord. It reminds us that one day every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,1 as they recognize his wisdom and his glorious sovereignty—and also his care for those humble enough to turn to him (all of which are anticipated in vv. 4–6).
Then there is a personal confidence (vv. 7, 8) that God will deliver and rescue. Of course we know that, humanly speaking, deliverance from trouble doesn’t always work out as we would like. Troubles will come, but in the midst of them we can be confident in the Lord’s right hand to hold us. Then there’s the knowledge that, whatever happens, he will fulfill his purposes (v. 8). Different English translations of the Bible offer different slants on this: ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me’ (AV); ‘The Lord will vindicate me’ (NIV); ‘The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me’ (NRSV). Each is a very personal statement of faith, based on the psalmist’s relationship with God and the knowledge that his steadfast love never ends! After such a wonderful psalm of thanksgiving, expectation, and confidence, the final squeak (‘do not abandon the works of your hands’) reminds us that the psalmist, like us, was very human!
Apply
How does the psalm speak to you? Talk to God about it.
Closing prayer
Thank you, Father, that there is nothing I cannot bring to you in prayer. Keep me ever mindful, though, that you deserve their being offered with overflowing thanksgiving and praise.
1 Phil 2:9–11
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