Praying with Psalm 10

LORD, why does it feel like You’re so far away?
Why do I have trouble finding You in my troubles?

I could go on and on about how
wicked ways seem to prosper,
and helpless people get crushed,
but I know You know.
…

O LORD, arise! Lift Your hand to help!
The wicked think You won’t,
but I know You see and note wrongdoings.
Take them in hand!

Helpless ones commit themselves to You.
Don’t leave us Fatherless!
Break the hold of evil on us, and call
us into account for anything not of You
until You find nothing ill in us.

LORD, be our King forever
for people and nations perish without You.

Hear our desires, O LORD.
Strengthen our hearts.
Incline Your ear to us and do justice
to those who feel oppressed
and Fatherless without You.
Let no one on earth strike us
with terror.

prayer-a-phrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, © 2017

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Praying Psalm 7

NOTE: The first half of Psalm 7 prays for God’s rescue from adversaries, which, as Christians, we might think of as the nemesis or archenemy of Christ.


O LORD my God, I want to run and hide
inside You!
Save me! Deliver me from ill will
ready to rip my soul apart like a hungry lion,
tearing it to pieces before help arrives.

O LORD my God, if I have done something wrong
or used my hands for a poor purpose –
if I have repaid good will with ill will
or taken something without cause,
then let me be overtaken!
Let my life be trampled to the ground.
Cover my glory in dust.

Arise, O LORD, with wrath
against the fury of the enemy.
Awake and give Your judgment.
Let Your people gather around You.
Rule us from on high.

Psalm 7:1-7, prayer-a-phrased by Mary Sayler, ©2016, after studying scriptures from the many translations found on Bible Gateway

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Praying with Psalm 6

O LORD, please don’t scold me when You’re angry
or discipline me in fury.
Have mercy, LORD, for I am suffering.
Heal my trembling, troubled bones.
Even my soul feels shaky!
O how long, LORD, will this go on?

Turn back to me, LORD, and rescue me
with Your unfailing love.
It’s hard to remember You
when I feel dead inside.
How can I lift Your Name in praise, LORD,
when grave worries weigh me down?

My sighs tire me. My sobs wear me out!
My pillow swabs my face.
Grief blurs my vision.
My eyes ache with distress.

Get away from me, you evil thoughts!

The LORD hears my cries.
The LORD listens!
The LORD answers all my prayers.

prayer-a-phrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2016, with scriptures from many translations on Bible Gateway

Praying with Psalm 5

Hear my words, O Lord!
Listen to me sigh.
Attend to the sound of my cries,
my King and my God,
for to You do I pray.

In the morning, You hear my voice.
In the morning, I lay my pleas before You
and expectantly await Your answer.

O God, You do not delight in wickedness.
Nothing evil can live in You.

Arrogant people won’t be close to You.
You hate all wrongdoing.
Your truth destroys all lies.
You despise violence and deceit.

But because of Your overflowing love
and kindness, I can enter Your house
to worship You in the sanctuary.

Oh, Lord, I need You to lead me
or my foes and failures will overtake me!
Make Your way clear and obvious.

Let all foul talk, lying mouths, and
flattering tongues be silenced
and driven away
for such sins show
rebellion against You.

But let all who take refuge in You
be glad. Let them celebrate
and sing Your praises.

Spread Your protection
over all who love Your name.
For You bless the righteous, O Lord.
You shield them with Your favor.

prayer-a-phrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2016, with scriptures from many translations on Bible Gateway

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Praying with Psalm 4

Answer us when we call,
O God of our salvation!
Free us from these pressures
and distress!

Show us mercy.
Hear our prayer.

People! People!
How long will our hearts be hard?
How long will we love what is worthless
or chase after lies?

Know this: the Lord takes care
of the faithful.
The Lord God hears our cries.

We can be angry
without sinning.
We can take a rest and really
think about what’s troubling us.
We can do what’s right –
even when it’s hard --
and place ourselves
in God’s hands.

Many say, “I want to see
better times. I want the light
of God’s face to shine.”
But God has filled us
with more gladness
than we’ll ever get
from food and wine.

When we lie down,
we can sleep peacefully,
for You alone, O God
help us to rest in safety.

prayer-a-phrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2016, with scriptures from many translations on Bible Gateway

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Praying with Psalm 3

Psalm 3

How many are our foes, O Lord!
How many rise against us?
How many say God gives
no salvation for the soul?

But You, O Lord, are a shield around us,
our glory, and The One Who lifts our head.
When we cry aloud to the Lord,
You answer us from Your holy place.

We lay down and sleep.
When we awake, You have sustained us.

We need not be afraid
of many thousands of people
who have set themselves against us.

Rise up, O Lord!
Save us, O our God!
You alone can smack down our enemies
and break the bite of evil.

Salvation belongs to You, O Lord.
May Your blessings be on us
and all Your people.

prayer-a-phrased by Mary Harwell Sayler, © 2016

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Psalm 67 for today

God, be merciful to us and bless us.
Let Your face shine upon us,
so Your ways may be known on the earth
and Your saving strength among all nations.

Let the people praise You, O God.
Let all the peoples praise You.
O, let the nations be glad and sing for joy
for You shall judge us rightly
and govern the nations of the earth.
Let the people praise You, O God.
Let all the peoples praise You.

Then the earth will yield abundance,
and You, God, our God, shall bless us.
Yes, God shall bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will hold You in awe.

prayer-a-phrase by Mary Harwell Sayler

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