Praying the Psalms
Scripture: Psalms 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Psalms 55:17 - Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. Psalms 121:1-2 - I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
The Psalms contain the Word that God has for us about prayer, and the words He wants us to say to Him in prayer. It is amazing that God tells us how we can speak to Him and have fellowship with Him! As I pray the Psalms back to the Lord, it helps me to give thanks/rejoice, and think about and confess and turn away from the sins in my life. Also, I am encouraged to pray for others as I read the Psalms. As I am praying the Psalms back to the Lord, I am looking vertically (upward) instead of horizontally (thinking about what I am currently facing). Praying the Psalms is so convicting yet comforting and uplifting!
Psalms are poems and hymns/songs. They are used as prayers. Not all Psalms are prayers, but they will all shape our prayers. Each Psalm expresses the full range of emotions that any person goes through during his/her lifetime – joy, sorrow, desperation, anger, vengeance, praise, peace, and thankfulness. Therefore, anyone can relate to the Psalms. Psalms truly express the heart of prayer. Psalms and Proverbs are very different. The Psalms are vertical to God while the Proverbs are horizontal about people. The Psalms are divine counsel from God, whereas the Proverbs are practical advice to people. The Psalms include a collection of prayers/hymns, but the Proverbs are wise sayings.
I sometimes read the Psalms quickly since I’ve read them so many times, but it is important to slow down and meditate on them. Now I am getting in the habit of reading a Psalm over and over again – asking the Lord to give me more of an understanding of it -- putting it to memory in part or in whole and/or personalizing it – making the Psalm my own ( as I am praying it back to Him). An example of personalizing Psalms 1:1-3 is: Blessed (am I) that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But (my) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law (will I) meditate day and night. And (I) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in (my) season. (My) leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever (I) do shall prosper (come to maturity). (This is my desire. I praise and worship You. There is none like You!!!)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your Word that I can pray back to You! Help me to daily read, meditate on, understand, and apply Your Word to my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
The Psalms contain the Word that God has for us about prayer, and the words He wants us to say to Him in prayer. It is amazing that God tells us how we can speak to Him and have fellowship with Him! As I pray the Psalms back to the Lord, it helps me to give thanks/rejoice, and think about and confess and turn away from the sins in my life. Also, I am encouraged to pray for others as I read the Psalms. As I am praying the Psalms back to the Lord, I am looking vertically (upward) instead of horizontally (thinking about what I am currently facing). Praying the Psalms is so convicting yet comforting and uplifting!
Psalms are poems and hymns/songs. They are used as prayers. Not all Psalms are prayers, but they will all shape our prayers. Each Psalm expresses the full range of emotions that any person goes through during his/her lifetime – joy, sorrow, desperation, anger, vengeance, praise, peace, and thankfulness. Therefore, anyone can relate to the Psalms. Psalms truly express the heart of prayer. Psalms and Proverbs are very different. The Psalms are vertical to God while the Proverbs are horizontal about people. The Psalms are divine counsel from God, whereas the Proverbs are practical advice to people. The Psalms include a collection of prayers/hymns, but the Proverbs are wise sayings.
I sometimes read the Psalms quickly since I’ve read them so many times, but it is important to slow down and meditate on them. Now I am getting in the habit of reading a Psalm over and over again – asking the Lord to give me more of an understanding of it -- putting it to memory in part or in whole and/or personalizing it – making the Psalm my own ( as I am praying it back to Him). An example of personalizing Psalms 1:1-3 is: Blessed (am I) that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But (my) delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law (will I) meditate day and night. And (I) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in (my) season. (My) leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever (I) do shall prosper (come to maturity). (This is my desire. I praise and worship You. There is none like You!!!)
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father: Thank You for Your Word that I can pray back to You! Help me to daily read, meditate on, understand, and apply Your Word to my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
(by Marsha Williams)
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
1 Comment
Your devotional was very uplifting to my heart !