Praying from the Psalms
Perspective. We all need it. Having God’s vision for our lives is vital if we are to walk in faithfulness and diligence. Without proper perspective, we tend to wander and fall short of our godly commitments and objectives. The life we’ve been given by the Lord is a gift. Our breath is precious. Learning to make the most of it requires spiritual wisdom.
If we desire divine perspective, we must pray. Better yet, pray God’s Word. King David had a remarkable understanding of the laws, precepts, and judgments of God, and a passionate love for His ways. Throughout church history, David’s psalms have been sung, prayed, and quoted, and have consistently inspired and encouraged generations of believers.
The early Christians continued the Jewish practice of reciting prayers at certain hours of the day or night, based upon expressions from the Psalms like “evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud”; “at midnight I will rise to give thanks to you”; “seven times a day I praise you” (Ps. 55:17; 119:62, 164). By the Middle Ages, monastic orders had developed devotional prayer hymnals based on the Psalter. To this day, the Liturgy of the Hours of the Catholic Church consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and other Bible readings, and is used daily throughout the seven watches of the day and night.
We gain much divine perspective and wisdom from reading and praying the Psalms. They contain a great wealth of personal prayers and devotional meditations, covering every human emotion and the many challenges of life. The Psalms give inspiration and direction in every season of our lives, from the highs to the lows.
Take verse 4 of Psalm 39: “Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am” (NASB)
How’s that for godly perspective? It may seem depressing to focus on death and how short life on earth is. But however sobering this may be, it is an understanding that David wanted to keep with him. He knew that life was fleeting, a mere shadow and vapor. We are frail beings. David’s prayer was to truly know the extent of his frailty. With a love for truth like David’s, the human spirit can learn wisdom.
Knowing that our bodies will die, it is wise for us to consider the life that we have been given. What are we doing with it? Perspective comes when we see clearly, and we see clearly when we read and absorb God’s Word and pray accordingly. If we do this, we will learn how to approach each day as the gift that it is, and to concentrate on what is important, so that we focus our attention on preparing for eternity with God.
Prayer for the Day
God, teach me to fear You. Teach me to consider my ways, that I might gain a heart of wisdom. Show me how fleeting this life is, and that I was made for more than temporal things. Cause me to consider how short is the measure of my days. With this understanding, grant me grace to live before You rightly with my time, money, energy, and strength. Let me not waste a minute of this life on the passing pleasures of sin that lead to a dull heart. Quicken my spirit to love Your ways, and set me aflame with passion for Your Son. Amen.
