10 Daily Prayers from the Psalms
Barry Lawrence
The book of Psalms was the prayer
book for the Old Testament saint. The Psalms are filled with examples of the
Psalmist seeking God. Below are ten prayers that I attempt to pray on a regular
basis in my life. I would encourage you
to pray these individually and with your family.
1.
Be exalted,
O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm
57:5
This is a big picture prayer.
This is the goal of everything. One day the glory will fill the earth when
Jesus returns and shines as bright as the sun and peoples from every tribe,
tongue, and nation will rejoice. But today, in every square inch of this earth,
may his glory spread starting with my life.
2. Let the words of my mouth and the
meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my
Redeemer. Psalm 19:12-13
This is a prayer expressing the desire that all my words and
motives would be pleasing to the Lord who is worthy of all praise. Give me
words saturated with your gospel and dripping with your grace to others. Give
me a heart that points to you as my Treasure and obeys you wholeheartedly.
3. Search me, O God, and know my heart.
Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there is any grievous way in me, and
lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24
This acknowledges the reality that although my new heart
desires to please the Lord, I am still in my sinful flesh and need the light of
God on my life to rout our indwelling sin. Praying this prayer is dangerous as
God uncovers sin in my life but wonderfully liberating as we run back to the
cross.
4.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within
me. Psalm 51:10
I constantly need his cleansing in my life and a reorientation
of my heart to seek God. This prayer naturally follows God searching my
heart and pointing out sin in my life.
5. Let the favor of the Lord our God be
upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work
of our hands. Psalm 90:17
Unless God is empowering and blessing me today, nothing will
last and have eternal impact. I am not looking just to do big things for God,
but I want him to help me be faithful in the little things as well so that I will
have a lasting impact for his glory.
6. Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I
might walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11
The Christian life is obedience to the path that God has
called me. But the heart is the key. There are constant battles in my heart
between the flesh and the Spirit. Knowing that I am prone to wander, this
prayer is a cry to have a united focused heart to fear the Lord and obey him
bringing glory to his name.
7. My soul melts away with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your Word. Psalm 119:38
This prayer may not apply all the time in my life. But there
are others in difficult situations in which I can pray this prayer discouraged
and weary that can only be strengthened by the promises of God in Christ.
8. But may all who seek you rejoice and be
glad in you; may those who love your name say continually, "Great is the
Lord!" Psalm 40:16
This is a prayer that keeps me in awe of the great salvation
exulting in Christ alone. This is my heart for my family and for Journey. This
is my desire for the millions still unreached that by his grace they would love
Christ and be glad in him.
9. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you
shall inherit all the nations. Psalm 82:8
This prayer is both a comfort and reminder. When I pray this
prayer I am reminded that justice will be served in this fallen oppressive
world when Jesus returns and that he will reign forever and ever and I will
reign with him. Come Lord Jesus!
10. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to
your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness.
Psalm 115:1
This is the ultimate and foundational prayer of any
Christian. All glory to God alone. The basis of this prayer is that he loves me
forever and will be faithful to all the promises that are in Christ.
