Psalm 145 - 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 145 (ESV) out loud:

1 I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
 6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
    and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
    and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
 9 The Lord is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
 12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
    and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The Lord is faithful in all his words
    and kind in all his works.]
 14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
    and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
    and you give them their food in due season.
 16 You open your hand;
    you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
    and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.
 19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
    he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
    but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
    and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 145 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 145 set to music…

Music by Poor Bishop Hooper. poorbishophooper.com/everypsalm

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 50 - 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.

Part II: Slowly read from Psalm 50 (ESV)

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,
    speaks and summons the earth
    from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
    God shines forth.

3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
    before him is a devouring fire,
    around him a mighty tempest.
4 He calls to the heavens above
    and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
    for God himself is judge! Selah

7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
    O Israel, I will testify against you.
    I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
    your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
    or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
    the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
    and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
    for the world and its fullness are mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
    or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
    and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
    I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me…


23 …The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
    to one who orders his way rightly
    I will show the salvation of God!”

 

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 50 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 bring to you the choices that are before me today… (ex, how I invest my time, thoughts, words, relationships, money, abilities, 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 50 set to music…

 

From the album Asaph (2014) by Loud Harp. loudharp.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 33 - 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 33 (ESV) out loud:

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright.
2 Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre;
    make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.

4 For the word of the Lord is upright,
    and all his work is done in faithfulness.
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
    the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.
7 He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap; he puts the deeps in storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the Lord;
    let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded, and it stood firm.

10 The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
    he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
    and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
    because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.

Part III: Use your own words to pray Psalm 33 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 33 set to music…

From the album Wilderness Songs (2021) by Albert Keever. albertkeever.com

From the album, The Psalms Project, Vol 4 (2019). 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.

How to Pray - The Father's Promise

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When we pray this prayer, we are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God. 

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz artist creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s promise, building on this final affirmation in the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father,… Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

I invite you to pause right now, get a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

 “Father, I thank you, for you have….”

 “Father, I trust you, for you will…”

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. These include many psalms that express gratitude for and trust in the deliverance and promises of God (click on each psalm for access to a guide): Psalm 3; Psalm 4; Psalm 9; Psalm 11; Psalm 16; Psalm 20; Psalm 21; Psalm 23; Psalm 27; Psalm 30; Psalm 32; Psalm 34; Psalm 40; Psalm 46; Psalm 48; Psalm 62; Psalm 63; Psalm 68; Psalm 71; Psalm 73; Psalm 75; Psalm 84; Psalm 86; Psalm 91; Psalm 92; Psalm 105; Psalm 107; Psalm 116; Psalm 121; Psalm 124; Psalm 131; Psalm 136; Psalm 139; Psalm 144

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the final prayer of the Lord’s Prayers: “We have made all these petitions of you because, - as our all-powerful King- you listen to our prayers and are both willing and able to give us all that is good; and because your holy name, and not we ourselves, should receive all the praise, forever. This shall truly and surely be!”  (*based on the Heidelberg Catechism).

For a guide to praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

How to Pray - The Father's Protection

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When you pray this prayer, you are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God. 

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz musician creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s protection, building on the fifth petition: “Our Father in Heaven,…Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

I invite you to pause right now, get a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

“Father, I am feeling… “ (afraid, angry, discouraged, anxious, weak, alone,…)

“Father, I need strength to stand, in the face of…”

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. The largest category of psalms that seek the Lord’s protection and deliverance (psalms of lament, aka, ‘help!’ psalms). Here are a few (click on each psalm for a guide): Psalm 6; Psalm 10; Psalm 12; Psalm 13; Psalm 17; Psalm 22; Psalm 26; Psalm 29; Psalm 31; Psalm 42; Psalm 43; Psalm 51; Psalm 53; Psalm 60; Psalm 69; Psalm 77; Psalm 79; Psalm 80; Psalm 82; Psalm 88:1-8; Psalm 94; Psalm 117; Psalm 130; Psalm 137; Psalm 141

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayers:
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for by ourselves we are too weak to stand even for a moment. And our sworn enemies - the devil, the world and our own flesh - never stop attacking us. So uphold us and make us strong in your Holy Spirit that we may not go down to defeat in this spiritual struggle, but may firmly resist our enemies until you win the final victory.” (*based on the Heidelberg Catechism).

For a guide to praying the sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer click HERE.

For am excellent book on praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

How to Pray - The Father's Pardon

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When we pray this prayer, we are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God.  

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz artist creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s pardon, building on this fourth petition: Our Father in heaven, …forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.

I invite you to pause right now, find a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

“Father, forgive me for...”

“I release my resentments towards…”

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. The Psalms include many songs of confession. Here are a few (click on psalm for a link to a guide): Psalm 51; Psalm 6; Psalm 15; Psalm 32; Psalm 130;  Other psalms of pardon and reconciliation: 25, 38, 133.

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the forth petition of the Lord’s Prayers:
“Most merciful God, we confess we have sinned against you in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name.”   (based on the Book of Common Prayer).

For a guide to praying the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer click HERE.

For an excellent book on praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

How to Pray - The Father's Provision

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When we pray this prayer, we are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God.  

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz artist creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s provision, building on this third petition: Our Father in heaven, …give us today our daily bread.

I invite you to pause right now, find a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

“Father, thank you for sustaining our bodies with…”

“Please provide today’s _____ for…”

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. These include many psalms of creation, celebrating the Lord’s provision. Here are a few (click on psalm for a link to a guide): Psalm 104; Psalm 8; Psalm 24; Psalm 29; Psalm 65; Psalm 90; Psalm 121; Psalm 139; Psalm 148; Other psalms celebrating creation: 41, 49, 111, 147.

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the third petition of the Lord’s Prayers:
“Father, do take care of our every physical need so we come to know that you are the source of everything good, and neither our work and worry nor your gifts can do us any good apart from your blessing. So help us to give up our trust in creatures and put our trust in you alone.”  (*based on the Heidelberg Catechism).

For a guide to praying the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer, click HERE.

For an excellent book on praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

How to Pray - The Father's Purpose

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When we pray this prayer, we are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God.  

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz artist creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s purposes, building on this second petition: Our Father in heaven, …your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

I invite you to pause right now, find a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

“Father, rule without rival today in...” (ex. in my affections, desires, family, relationships; in your church, world; in our community, nation)

“May your will be done today in...” (ex. in my work, decisions, priorities, plans, reactions)

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. The Psalms include many songs that celebrate the Lord’s rule and reign (psalms of enthronement). Here are a few (click on psalm for a link to a guide): Psalm 47; Psalm 20; Psalm 21; Psalm 24; Psalm 29; Psalm 47, Psalm 48; Psalm 84; Psalm 91; Psalm 93; Psalm 96; Psalm 98; Psalm 144; Other enthronement psalms: 2, 45, 61, 72, 87, 89, 110, 123, 125, 132, 135, 144.

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the second petition of the Lord’s Prayers:
“Father, rule us by your Word and Spirit in such a way that more and more we submit to you. Keep your church strong and add to it. Destroy the devil’s work. Destroy every force that revolts against you and every conspiracy against your Word. Do this until your kingdom is so complete and perfect that in it you are all in all.” (based on the Heidelberg Catechism).

For a guide to praying the third petition of the Lord's Prayer click HERE.

For an excellent book on praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

How to Pray: The Father's Praise

by Pastor Paul Dugan

For centuries, Christians around the world have been using the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to build a life of prayer. There are so many things that seem to divide believers and churches. This prayer is one thing that unites the whole church, regardless of race, culture, tradition, denomination, or worship style.  The whole church is included in the “OUR” of “Our Father...” When we pray this prayer, we are not alone!

The Lord’s Prayer is actually six prayers- “The Lord’s Prayers”:

When we pray these prayers, we are praying the heart of Jesus. His entire ministry is essentially an answer to these six petitions. His life, ministry, suffering, death, and his resurrection have brought the kingdom- on earth, as it is in heaven. And he longs that your life and mine would be a living answer to these prayers. Wherever the Lord’s Prayers are answered, people experience renewal, restoration, and the blessings of life in the kingdom of God.  

Jesus did not give the church these prayers as a script to be mindlessly repeated by rote. Rather, they form a trellis. I believe Jesus intended that we take these six petitions and grow a whole life of prayer on them, as a vine grows on the structure of a trellis, or as a jazz artist creates improvisational music on the structure of a chord progression.

Today we focus on the Father’s praise, building on this first petition: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name.

I invite you to pause right now, find a quiet place, and practice putting this prayer into your own words. For example,

“Father, we praise you, for you...”  (deliver us, forgive, heal, rescue, guide, provide...)

“Father, we praise you, for you are…” (kind, holy, just, wise, faithful...)

“May I carry your Name well today in...” (my words, attitudes, work,...)

“Elevate your reputation today in...” (our church, school, neighborhood, city, county, state, nation)

Connecting the Lord’s Prayer and the Psalms: Jesus built his own prayers on the Hebrew psalms, Israel’s ancient book of prayer. The Psalms include many songs of praise. Here are a few (click on psalm for a link to a guide): Psalm 1; Psalm 8; Psalm 14; Psalm 15; Psalm 19; Psalm 24; Psalm 37; Psalm 47; Psalm 65; Psalm 67; Psalm 90; Psalm 93; Psalm 95; Psalm 96; Psalm 98; Psalm 100; Psalm 104; Psalm 112; Psalm 113; Psalm 115; Psalm 119:33-40; Psalm 119:105-112; Psalm 127; Psalm 139; Psalm 146; Psalm 148; Psalm 150

Here is one of my favorite improvisations on the first petition of the Lord’s Prayers:
“Father, help us to really know you- to bless, worship and praise you for all your works and for all that shines forth from them: your almighty power, wisdom, kindness, justice, mercy, and truth. Help us to direct all our living - what we think. say, and do - so that your name will never be maligned because of us, but always honored and praised.”  (based on the Heidelberg Catechism).

For a guide to praying the second petition of the Lord's Prayer click HERE.

For an excellent book on praying the Lord’s Prayer: Fifty-seven Words that Change the World, by Darrell Johnson.

Psalm 62 - 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 62 (ESV) out loud:

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

3 How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
    They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse. Selah

5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
    pour out your heart before him;
    God is a refuge for us. Selah

9 Those of low estate are but a breath;
    those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
    they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
    set no vain hopes on robbery;
    if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

 Part III: Reflecting on Psalm 62, 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 62 set to music…

From the album, Psalms We Sing Together (2020), by Wendell Kimbrough. wendellk.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.

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