Prayers for Self and Society
(Psalm 120; 121; 140; 143; 144)
Throughout the Psalms, the Lord offers us many models for prayer. These include examples of adoration and worship, gratitude and thanksgiving, confession and repentance, and petition and intercession.
Today’s Bible readings focused largely on David’s prayers for his own spiritual and physical well-being, as well as the spiritual and social health of his nation.
We seem to be living in particularly trying times today, facing many looming dangers. Financial security, national security and even Social Security may appear shaky. Are we willing to trust God in such times of potential peril?
Surely, the Lord can fill in the blanks, in His time.
Focusing on two sections of today’s Scripture portion, let’s see how many blanks you can fill in, based on God’s Word. May the Lord bless this exercise and write His Word upon our hearts.
Grab your copy of The Daily Bible in Chronological Order: 365 Daily Readings or your favorite New International Version Bible, so the wordings will match up. Or look up these passages online, using the links provided below:
“I lift up my _______ to the hills –
where does my _______come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of _______ and _______.
He will not let your _______slip –
He who watches over you will not _______;
indeed, He who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor _______.
The Lord watches over you –
the Lord is your _______ at your right _______;
the sun will not _______ you by day,
nor the _______by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm –
He will _______ over your life;
The Lord will _______ over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”
“O Lord, what is _______ that you care for him,
the _______ of man that you think of him?”
“Deliver me and rescue me
from the _______ of foreigners
whose _______ are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Then our _______ in their _______
will be like well-nurtured plants,
and our _______ will be like pillars
carved to adorn a _______.
Our _______ will be filled
with every kind of _______.
Our sheep will _______ by thousands,
by tens of thousands in our fields;
our oxen will _______ heavy loads. b]">
There will be no breaching of walls,
no going into captivity,
no cry of _______ in our streets.
Blessed are the _______ of whom this is true;
blessed are the _______ whose God is the Lord.”
Do you sense the Lord’s protection and providence in your own life today? How about in the life of the nation in which you live? What might it take to unlock the bountiful blessings of God, both personally and corporately?
What will it take for an entire society to recognize that God is the Lord?
What role might Jehovah God ask each of us to play in the process?
Will you pray with me?
Lord of all lords,
King of all kings,
The only wise God.
We lay our lives at Your feet.
We plead for Your mercy
And grace
That covers all our weaknesses.
We entreat You
To draw the hearts
Of all peoples
To know You.
May our nations fall at Your feet,
That You may raise up peoples
That are willing to follow You
And receive the blessings
You long to bestow.
Make Your glorious Presence
Evident among us,
So that Your Name
Would be praised and honored.
Apart from You,
We are unworthy,
But You are worthy,
And You are more than able.
Amen.
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