Psalm 145: 17-21

17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made.

Lord, You are righteous, yet You love us, sinners condemned by our sin.  It’s an example for us, who follow You, that we too can love others even if they don’t know You or follow You.  They are image bearers and as such, we need to love them- how will they know?  How can they see the love of God if we’re not willing to live it out in front of them?.  Help us, Lord.  Help us to love those who are ‘different’ than we, who do and say things we don’t like or approve of.  Help us to know that by loving them, we’re not condoning what they do.  By loving us, Lord, You are not condoning our sin, but You love us in spite of our sin.  Your kindness leads us to repentance.  Father, I pray that (name) would learn how to be loving to others and by loving them, show the power of God and the change it can bring in a heart and life.  

18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,  to all who call on him in truth.

Father, You affirm that You  are near to all who call on You, convinced without a doubt,  that You will hear and answer. They trust and know that You are not indifferent or disconnected.  You are faithfully present and supporting us even before we ask.   I pray that (name) would believe without waffling or wavering that You are faithful and True and when (name) calls on You, You will answer and be near.  I pray that (name) would understand Your trustworthiness and see Your faithful steadfast Presence in each day and night, in each joyful moment and dark season.  Lord, You ARE near to all who call on You in truth.  Thank You.

19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;  he hears their cry and saves them.

Just as we heard the cries of our children an ran to help them, You hear our cries.  You save us, Lord, even when it seems like there is no way out, You make a way.  “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them.  He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.” (Ps 107:6-7)  Lord, I pray that (name)’s heart desire would be refuge in the shadow of Your wings and a place in Your house that is their own, a belonging, a provision and a dwelling in Your Presence.  Lord, lead them to a city of refuge because they fear You.  Let (name) cry out to You today Lord.  Direct their eyes, their heart and their plea to Your throne room where You hear and answer abundantly.  Fulfill (name)’s desires in a way that brings glory and honor to Your name and that draws them nearer to You.  Hear their cry and save them, Abba Father.

20 The Lord watches over all who love him,  but all the wicked he will destroy.

Thank you, Lord, for Your watchful care.  As a parent, our eyes were always watching for danger and seeking to protect them.  But now that (name) is an adult, I can’t do that any more.  I have to trust…I have to trust You that You will watch over and protect (name) so much better than I ever could.  I pray that (name) would love You.  Stir  a deep desire in (name)’s heart and mind to run after You with all they have and are.  Help them to see this world is temporary and the titles and promotions, the gadgets and trappings will all rot.  But their heart…oh their heart is the most valuable thing they have and they need to ensure that it’s properly and rightfully invested.  Please, Lord, let them invest themselves in Your kingdom.  Let them surrender all they are and have to You.  Don’t let them be counted among the wicked.  Oh how we love them, but Lord, we know, unless they surrender to You and are counted as Your child, Your saint, Your beloved, unless that is their identity, they are among the wicked.  Lord, it hurts our hearts to think that.  Show us fruit, Lord!  Watch over (name) and guide their steps so they remain faithful to You.  If (name) doesn’t know You as their Lord and Savior, I pray that even today You would bring another believer into their life who would speak truth and share the life-giving hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Lord, I pray that (name) would confess with their mouth and believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord (Rom. 10:9).  Lord, watch over (name) today and do a work in their life.  I believe.  I know You can and will.  Bring fruit, Lord.

21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

Oh, how I love You Lord!  My mouth is filled with Your praise.  My heart is overwhelmed by Your goodness and I want to share that joyful praise with others.  I want to know that (name) is filled with joyful praise for You.  May it overflow and cause them to wonder and be amazed at how praising You brings contentment, fulfillment and joy.  Lord, to know that every creature will praise Your holy name is humbling.  Today give me moments to sit outside or gaze out the window at Your creation and ponder what the praise of creation for You  might look like  When the trees sway in the breeze, are they praising You?  When the birds sing, are they proclaiming Your greatness?  We can’t know, but Lord, Your Word tells us that if we don’t praise You, even the very rocks would cry out in praise of You.  (Luke 19:40).  Creation knows its Creator.  Help us to know You more and more and to live in a way that reflects that knowledge to others..  May the generations of my family praise You and carry on a commitment to follow after You for all their days, no matter what may come.  May our lives exhibit praise for Your holy name, always and through eternity.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pray without ceasing

Praying Psalm 145:1-4

This week we are going to pray through Psalm 145, verse by verse.  No devotional.  No extra thoughts.  Just praying God’s word and watching it work powerfully in and through us. 

Each day we’ll take a portion and pray it back to the Lord on behalf of our sons and daughters.

Journal what you see and learn this week as you pray. It will become a testimony for later days and future generations.

Psalm 145

1  I will exalt you, my God the King;

    I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Lord, I ask today that You would enable my sons and daughters to exalt You. Fill them with wonder at the thought of You.  Let their words and actions lift you high.  May their life bring glory to Your name.  I pray that they would deeply desire to live a life that honors You.  Give them strength to praise You forever and ever.

2 Every day I will praise you

    and extol your name for ever and ever.

Father, I pray that every day (name) would praise you.  Let praise fill their heart and spill out of their lips.  Let praise of You be a habit they will not abandon, because Your word says you inhabit the praise of your people.  May (name) bless You every morning as they see You work, and Lord, let them see you work, clearly and powerfully so they will never cease their praise and wonder of You.

3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

You are worthy, Lord, of all our praise.  I pray that (name) would be amazed and in awe of Who You are and what You do.  Lord, never allow us to be satisfied with our knowledge and understanding of You, because that would mean we’ve stopped seeking more of You.  You are so much greater than we can imagine and understand.  Just as it is impossible to fathom the depths of the deepest seas, so Lord, it is even more impossible to fathom all of You- the immortal, invisible, almighty God.  

4 One generation will commend your works to another;

    they will tell of your mighty acts.

Oh, Lord, how I pray that my sons and daughters would commend your works to the next generation and that the legacy of believers would continue in our family. Let (name) tell of your mighty acts- all the wonderful ways You’ve provided, protected and led our family through danger, hardship and grief. Let (name) boldly share the blessings You’ve given. May the joy that You pour into to those who love You be evident in (name)’s life. Let my children, my grandchildren and their children after them know Jesus, love Him and commit their lives to Him. May our family be mighty in our faith and humble in our following and may You bless us with generations who will follow after You faithfully, in Jesus’ name, amen.

(Maybe you have a family heritage of believers, or maybe you are the start of that heritage- either way, pray that the Lord continues the testimony of His saving grace through your family. What a beautiful legacy to pass on!)

Tomorrow we’ll pray through verses 5-7

I Surrender All

Ah, Sunday. A day of focused worship. A day of rest. Today, spend some time in praise and worship of our Lord. Be refreshed in His Word. Sing to Him. Let your worship be a fragrant offering to the Lord.

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Refrain:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!

Judson W. Van DeVenter, 1896