Psalm 113 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 113 (NLT) out loud:

Praise the Lord!

Yes, give praise, O servants of the Lord.
    Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
    now and forever.
3 Everywhere—from east to west—
    praise the name of the Lord.
4 For the Lord is high above the nations;
    his glory is higher than the heavens.

5 Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
    who is enthroned on high?
6 He stoops to look down
    on heaven and on earth.
7 He lifts the poor from the dust
    and the needy from the garbage dump.
8 He sets them among princes,
    even the princes of his own people!
9 He gives the childless woman a family,
    making her a happy mother.

Praise the Lord!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 113 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 113 set to music…

From the album, I Will Not Be Shaken (2015) by Steve Bell. stevebell.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.

Psalm 90 - A Psalm of Wisdom (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Cultivate a heart of wisdom, using this three-part rhythm…

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Wisdom in the Hebrew Scriptures is not the same thing as "smarts." It is possible to be a smart fool. Neither is wisdom a “secret knowledge” possessed by a mystically-gifted elite. Wisdom is the practical skill of making good choices in reverence before God, in the everyday stuff of life.

Psalms of wisdom often include short memorable sayings, contrasting light with darkness, good with evil, wisdom with foolishness, or righteousness with wickedness. 

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 90 (NLT) out loud:

Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home!
2 Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.

3 You turn people back to dust, saying,
    “Return to dust, you mortals!”
4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day,
    as brief as a few night hours.
5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear.
    They are like grass that springs up in the morning.
6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes,
    but by evening it is dry and withered.
7 We wither beneath your anger;
    we are overwhelmed by your fury.
8 You spread out our sins before you—
    our secret sins—and you see them all.
9 We live our lives beneath your wrath,
    ending our years with a groan.

10 Seventy years are given to us!
    Some even live to eighty.
But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble;
    soon they disappear, and we fly away.
11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger?
    Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve.
12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
    so that we may grow in wisdom.

13 O Lord, come back to us!
    How long will you delay?
    Take pity on your servants!
14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
    so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery!
    Replace the evil years with good.
16 Let us, your servants, see you work again;
    let our children see your glory.
17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval
    and make our efforts successful.
    Yes, make our efforts successful!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 90 back to God:

"I thank you God for giving us clear boundaries- for defining for us what is true and false, good and evil, wise and foolish. And thank you for giving us the freedom to choose the good!

"I lament the sorrow and pain in my life/world that has resulted from unwise choices (my own or the choices of others)…

"I bring to you the choices that are in front of me/us today…(ex, in how I invest my time, my words, my relationships, my money, my abilities,  vocation, body, etc.)

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 90 set to music…

From the album, I Will Not Be Shaken by Steve Bell (2015). stevebell.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.

Psalm 9 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

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 9:1-10 (NLT) out loud:

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
2 I will be filled with joy because of you.
    I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

3 My enemies retreated;
    they staggered and died when you appeared.
4 For you have judged in my favor;
    from your throne you have judged with fairness.
5 You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
    you have erased their names forever.
6 The enemy is finished, in endless ruins;
    the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.

7 But the Lord reigns forever,
    executing judgment from his throne.
8 He will judge the world with justice
    and rule the nations with fairness.
9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
    a refuge in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name trust in you,
    for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 9, 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 9 set to music…

From the album, Songs for the Journey, Vol I (2014) 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.

Psalm 29 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 29 (ESV) out loud

Ascribe to the Lord, O heavenly beings,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;
    the God of glory thunders,
    the Lord, over many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
    the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf,
    and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;
    the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth
    and strips the forests bare,
    and in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
11 May the Lord give strength to his people!
    May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 29 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Here’s a version of Psalm 29 set to music…

From the album “Songs for the Journey, Vol 3” (2019) by The Shiyr Poets. theshiyrpoets.com

From the album “The Psalms Project, Vol 3” (2015). thepsalmsproject.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.

Psalm 21 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

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 21 (NIV) out loud:

The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2 You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips.
3 You came to greet him with rich blessings
    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
    length of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken…

13 Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
    we will sing and praise your might.

Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 21, 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 21 set to music…

From the album “Songs for the Journey, Vol 3” (2019) 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.

Psalm 20 - A Psalm of Trust (Reorientation)

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 20 (NIV) out loud:

May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
    may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
    and accept your burnt offerings.
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
    and lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

6 Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
    but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
    Answer us when we call

Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 20, 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 20 set to music…

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.

Entering the Desert with Jesus

Discovering the Gift of Lent

by Pastor Paul Dugan

You have probably heard someone say this, “I’m giving up… (chocolate, caffeine, fast food, etc) for Lent” around this time of year.

But Lent is so much more than “giving up” something. For more than sixteen centuries, followers of Jesus around the world have set aside the 40 days leading up to Holy Week as an intentional spiritual journey of repentance and renewal. We do this in solidarity with Jesus, who was led by the Spirit into the desert for 40 days, following his baptism.

Why the desert? It is in the ‘desert places' that our temptations, false selves, disordered loves, and cherished idols are exposed. It is in the desert that we are prepared to rediscover the amazing good news of the gospel of Holy Week and Easter. Lent is preparation for Easter revival!

Here are some ways to personally experience the spiritual journey of Lent:

Follow a Lenten devotional:

The Lent Project is a guided daily digital meditation on Christ’s life, death, and resurrection through the lens of the Psalms, drawing from the riches of art, poetry and music.

Check out The Lent Project HERE.

(From the Biola University Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts.)

Join a small group:

If you are interested in joining a new small group to study and pray through Ephesians during Lent, check out the DNA Road Test- Tues, March 8 @7pm in the Big Room (aka Fellowship Hall). Host: Pastor Paul. For more on DNA HERE.

For more on Lent:

If the concept of Lent is new to you, we recommend this introduction by Julie Canlis- 'Lent to the Rescue'- HERE.

Psalm 103 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 103 (NASB) out loud:

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The Lord performs righteous deeds
And judgments for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the sons of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
And its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To those who keep His covenant
And remember His precepts to do them…

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 103 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 103 set to music…

by Poor Bishop Hooper. everypsalm.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.

Psalm 99 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read Psalm 99 (ESV) out loud:

1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble!
    He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake!
2 The Lord is great in Zion;
    he is exalted over all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and awesome name!
    Holy is he!
4 The King in his might loves justice.
    You have established equity;
you have executed justice
    and righteousness in Jacob.
5 Exalt the Lord our God;
    worship at his footstool!
    Holy is he!

6 Moses and Aaron were among his priests,
    Samuel also was among those who called upon his name.
    They called to the Lord, and he answered them.
7 In the pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
    they kept his testimonies
    and the statute that he gave them.

8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
    you were a forgiving God to them,
    but an avenger of their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt the Lord our God,
    and worship at his holy mountain;
    for the Lord our God is holy!

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 99 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 99 set to music…

by Poor Bishop Hooper. everypsalm.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.

Psalm 89 - A Psalm of Praise (Orientation)

by Pastor Paul Dugan

Try beginning your prayer with praise, using this three-part rhythm.

Part I: Become present to the presence of God:

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Ps 90:14)

Pause for silence before him. Slowly inhale, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Slowly exhale, and release any burdens you are carrying into this new day. Repeat this breathing prayer until you have brought your whole self - your thoughts, imagination, desires, and body- (“as-is”) into the presence of God.

Part II: Slowly read from Psalm 89 out loud:

1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever;
    with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.
2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;
    in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.”
3 You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
    I have sworn to David my servant:
4 ‘I will establish your offspring forever,
    and build your throne for all generations.’” 

5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
    Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
    and awesome above all who are around him?
8 O Lord God of hosts,
    who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
    with your faithfulness all around you?
9 You rule the raging of the sea;
    when its waves rise, you still them.
10 You crushed Rahab like a carcass;
    you scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours;
    the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
12 The north and the south, you have created them;
    Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.
13 You have a mighty arm;
    strong is your hand, high your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
15 Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
    who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
16 who exult in your name all the day
    and in your righteousness are exalted.
17 For you are the glory of their strength;
    by your favor our horn is exalted.
18 For our shield belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said:
    “I have granted help to one who is mighty;
    I have exalted one chosen from the people.
20 I have found David, my servant;
    with my holy oil I have anointed him,
21 so that my hand shall be established with him;
    my arm also shall strengthen him.
22 The enemy shall not outwit him;
    the wicked shall not humble him.
23 I will crush his foes before him
    and strike down those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and my steadfast love shall be with him,
    and in my name shall his horn be exalted…

38 But now you have cast off and rejected;
    you are full of wrath against your anointed.
39 You have renounced the covenant with your servant;
    you have defiled his crown in the dust…

46 How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself forever?
    How long will your wrath burn like fire?
47 Remember how short my time is!
    For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
48 What man can live and never see death?
    Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? 

49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old,
    which by your faithfulness you swore to David?

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 89 back to God:

“Lord God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit- I praise you, for who you are…

“I praise you for what you have done. Specifically, I thank you for…

The psalms were originally written as lyrics. They have been sung by the people of God throughout the history of Israel and the church. Take time to listen to a version of Psalm 89 set to music…

by Poor Bishop Hooper. everypsalm.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.