Psalm 27

 

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Prayer :

Abba Father,

You are our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear? You are the strength of our lives; of whom shall we be afraid? Even in the face of adversaries and enemies, we take confidence in your presence and power.

Lord, our deepest desire is to dwell in your house all the days of our lives, beholding your beauty and seeking your guidance in your temple. In times of trouble, hide us in your pavilion, in the secret of your tabernacle. Set us upon the rock, unshaken by the storms that may come.

As we lift our heads above our enemies, we come before you with sacrifices of joy and songs of praise. Hear our cries, O Lord; have mercy upon us and answer us. When you call us to seek your face, our hearts respond, "Your face, Lord, will I seek." Do not hide your face far from us; be our help, and do not forsake us, O God of our salvation.

Even if our earthly relationships falter, we trust that you, Lord, will take us up. Teach us your ways and lead us in paths of righteousness. Deliver us from the plots of our enemies, for false witnesses rise against us, breathing out cruelty.

In moments of weariness and doubt, we hold onto the belief that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Help us to wait on you, to be of good courage, and strengthen our hearts. We place our trust in you and patiently wait on the Lord.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 26

 

1 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore, I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. 4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. 5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers, and will not sit with the wicked.

6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord: 7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works. 8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. 9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: 10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.

Prayers :

Abba Father,

We come before you, our righteous Judge, and we ask for your judgment in our lives. We declare that we have walked in integrity, trusting in you so that we shall not slide. Examine us, O Lord, and prove our hearts and minds. We open ourselves to your scrutiny, for we desire to live in accordance with your lovingkindness and truth.

We choose not to associate with vain and deceitful individuals, and we distance ourselves from the congregation of evildoers. Instead, we seek your presence and the dwelling place of your honor. Wash us in innocence, and may we approach your altar with clean hands.

We are thankful for your wondrous works, and we desire to publish them with a voice of thanksgiving. Our love for the habitation of your house is sincere, and we stand in awe of your honor. Keep us separate from sinners and those who seek mischief, and let our lives be marked by your mercy.

As we walk in integrity, Lord, redeem us and be merciful to us. May our feet stand in an even place, and in the congregations, we bless your holy name.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 25

 

1 Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.

8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.

14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. 15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.

Prayer :

Abba Father,

As we lift up our souls to you, we declare our trust in you, O God. We come before you, seeking your guidance, wisdom, and grace. May we not be ashamed, and may our enemies not triumph over us. We place our trust in your unfailing love.

Lord, we pray for those who wait on you. Let none be ashamed who put their hope in you. Teach us your ways, O Lord, and lead us in your truth. You are the God of our salvation, and we wait on you throughout the day.

We acknowledge your tender mercies and lovingkindnesses, which have been ever of old. Remember us according to your mercy, and forgive our sins for your goodness' sake. Guide the meek in judgment, and teach them your ways. May we walk in the paths of mercy and truth, keeping your covenant and testimonies.

Pardon our iniquities for your name's sake, O Lord. We recognize our dependence on your instruction and guidance. As we fear you, reveal to us the secrets of your covenant.

Our eyes are ever toward you, Lord. Pluck our feet from the nets of challenges and temptations. Turn to us with mercy, for we are desolate and afflicted. Look upon our afflictions and pains, and forgive our sins.

Consider our enemies, O God, and protect us from those who harbor cruel hatred. Keep our souls, deliver us, and let us not be ashamed, for our trust is in you. Let integrity and uprightness preserve us, and we wait on you.

Redeem us, O God, out of all our troubles. In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 24

 

1 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2 For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. 3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Prayer :

Abba Father,

We come before you acknowledging that the earth is yours, and everything in it belongs to you. You have established the world and everything in it, and we recognize your sovereignty over all creation.

Lord, we desire to draw near to you, to ascend to the hill of the Lord and stand in your holy place. Create in us clean hands and pure hearts, that we may approach you with sincerity and humility. May we turn away from vanity and deceit, seeking your righteousness and blessing.

We are the generation that seeks your face, O Jacob. We lift up our heads, symbolizing our expectation and hope. Open the gates of our hearts and the doors of our lives to welcome the King of glory. We invite your presence into every aspect of our being.

You are the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. As we face challenges and struggles, we trust in your strength and power. You are the King of glory, and we honor and worship you.

May your glory fill our lives, and may we reflect your goodness and grace to the world around us. Thank you for being our King and for the privilege of seeking your face.

In the name of Jesus, our King of glory, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 23

 

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Prayer :

Abba Father,

You are our shepherd, and we acknowledge that in you, we lack nothing. We find rest in your presence, lying down in green pastures and being led beside still waters. You restore our souls and guide us in paths of righteousness for your name's sake.

Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we fear no evil, for you are with us. Your rod and staff comfort us, assuring us of your protection and guidance. In moments of darkness and uncertainty, we trust in your presence and find solace in your promises.

You prepare a table before us, even in the presence of our enemies. You anoint our heads with oil, and our cups overflow with your blessings. Your goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives.

We thank you for your constant care, provision, and protection. As we dwell in your house forever, help us to live in the confidence of your love and the assurance of your promises.

In the name of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 22

1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? 2 O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly. 11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.

12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them and cast lots upon my vesture.

19 But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. 20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog. 21 Save me from the lion's mouth; for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.

22 I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. 23 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. 24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

25 My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. 26 The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek him: your heart shall live for ever. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations. 29 All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

30 A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. 31 They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Prayer :

Heavenly Father,

We come before you, recognizing the depth of the psalmist's cry, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" In moments of darkness and despair, we turn to you, seeking your presence and comfort.

Lord, like the psalmist, we pour out our hearts to you, crying day and night, longing for your response. Yet, even in the depths of despair, we acknowledge your holiness and your faithfulness to those who trust in you.

In times when we feel like a worm, despised and reproached, and when it seems that those around us mock our trust in you, we take refuge in your unchanging nature. You are the One who took us out of the womb, our God from our mother's belly. Be near to us, for trouble is near, and there is none but you to help.

In the face of opposition, danger, and the challenges that surround us, we look to you, our strength. Save our souls from the figurative swords and lions that threaten us. Rescue us from the power of the adversary.

We declare your name among our brethren, praising you in the congregation. Let all who fear the Lord glorify Him, and may the seed that serves you be accounted to the Lord for a generation.

Lord, as we seek your deliverance, we trust in your unfailing love. Your righteousness is proclaimed to the ends of the earth, and we join in the chorus of praise for what you have done.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 21

 

1 The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire and hast not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. 3 For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness; thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. 5 His glory is great in thy salvation; honor and majesty hast thou laid upon him. 6 For thou hast made him most blessed for ever; thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. 7 For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the most High, he shall not be moved. 8 Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies; thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. 9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger; the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. 10 Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth and their seed from among the children of men. 11 For they intended evil against thee; they imagined a mischievous device, which they are not able to perform. 12 Therefore shalt thou make them turn their back when thou shalt make ready thine arrows upon thy strings against the face of them. 13 Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength; so will we sing and praise thy power. Prayer :

Abba Father,

We come before you with hearts full of joy and gratitude, acknowledging your strength and salvation. We rejoice in your mighty power, and we thank you for granting the desires of our hearts.

You go before us with blessings of goodness, adorning us with the crown of your favor. You have given us life and the promise of eternal days. Your glory is great in our salvation; you have honored us with honor and majesty.

We trust in you, O Lord, and find our stability in your mercy. May we not be moved, for your hand is mighty to find and overcome our enemies. In times of trouble, be a fiery oven against those who oppose us, and let your righteous judgment prevail.

We pray for the destruction of evil plans against us, and that the seeds of malice sown by our enemies may not take root. Your arrows, O Lord, are ready, and we trust in your protection and deliverance.

Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength, and we will sing praises to your power. We acknowledge your sovereignty and declare that you alone are worthy of our worship.

In the name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.