Have you ever felt ill-equipped to pray? One of my favorite ways to pray is by praying Scripture. I love to take the words of the Psalmist and make them my own – my own praise, my own confession and repentance, my own petitions and my own commitment to totally yielding my life to God.

Will you pray this prayer with me today?

PRAISE

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens (Psalm 8:1).

When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place –
Who am I that you should think of me? Who am I that you should care? – (8:3-4)

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.
I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me (3:3-5).

Lord, I know that I have been set apart for you. I know with confidence that you will answer me when I call to you (4:3)

I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High (7:17).

REPENT

Lord, look deep within my mind and heart. Show me if I have done wrong or am guilty of injustice, if I have betrayed a friend or plundered my enemy without cause (7:3-4,9).

O Lord, don’t rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your rage.
Have compassion on me, Lord, for I am weak.
Heal me, Lord…restore me.
Return, O Lord, and rescue me.
Save me because of your unfailing love (6:1-4).

Lord, have mercy on me (9:13).

Lord, forgive me when I sin by letting anger control me. See the spirit with which I repent this morning and know that I truly am trusting in you to grow me into the holy child of God you created me to be. Let your face smile on me, O Lord. Fill my heart with peace as I lie down and sleep knowing that you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe (4:4-8).

ASK

Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent.
Free me from my troubles.
Have mercy on me and hear my prayer (4:1)

Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly (5:3).

Lord, watch over my path today as I choose the path of the godly over the path of the wicked (1:6).

Lead me in the right path, O Lord…Make your way plain for me to follow (5:8).

Spread your protection over us that we who love your name may be filled with joy. Surround us with your shield of love (5:11b-12).

YIELD

Lord, I find delight in spending time in our word today. I commit to meditating on your scriptures day and night so that I can remain along your riverbank, nourished by you and equipped by you to bear fruit today (1:2-3).

Lord, I will serve you today in reverent fear, rejoice with trembling, and submit to your Son. I will take refuge in you knowing that in that refuge I will find joy (2:11-12).

Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever (5:11a).