by Pastor Paul Dugan
Try this three-part rhythm for cultivating a heart of trust…
Part I: Become present to the presence of God.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any distractions you are carrying into this moment. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) before God.
Reflect on the joys and challenges of the day. What are you thankful for? Where did you see God at work? What do you lament? What do you need to confess?
Part II: Slowly read Psalm 11 (ESV) out loud:
1 In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
“Flee like a bird to your mountain,
2 for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
they have fitted their arrow to the string
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
3 if the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord's throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
5 The Lord tests the righteous,
but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
6 Let him rain coals on the wicked;
fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.
Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 11, pray your own psalm of trust:
“Lord, you are my…
“I depend on you to…
“Without you, I am…
“Even when…, I trust you.
“I am confident that you will…
The psalms were originally written as lyrics, sung by the people of God. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 11 set to music…
by Corner Room, from "Psalm Songs, Volume 3." cornerroommusic.com
From the album, “Songs for the Journey, Vol 2” (2016) by The Shiyr Poets. theshiyrpoets.com
For links to individual guides for more than one hundred different psalms click here.
For more on the Psalms:
Here is an introduction to the Book of Psalms.
For a list of psalms by literary style (genre) click here.
For an introduction to the narrative arc of the psalms, see Spirituality of the Psalms, by Walter Brueggemann.