Praying the Psalms – Psalm 5: Perseverance

The Psalms is a book of prayers. It covers a wide range of human emotions and can be a catalyst for when you don’t know what to say to God! Join me as I pray through the Psalms. I would love for you to add your prayers and prayer requests in the comments, and I will pray for you right here on the blog.

Psalm 5 (Original text, NIV)

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing.

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors.

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies – make straight your way before me.

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

A prayer inspired by Psalm 5:

Lord, I feel weary. But that should not stop me from coming to you for help. In reality, my exhausted times are when I need you the most!

So please help me to stop neglecting my time with you. It is so hard, to get up early enough or have the ability to concentrate on you when there is so much commotion in my home. In my life.

But when I’m away from you, I miss you. Why should I deprive myself of someone so good as you?

Part of that goodness is that untruths have no place with you. You are just; you set things right. I’m thankful that I can trust you in these things.

Because I read something in the news today that upset me. Something a politician said. I don’t believe it was true and I think it will have only done one thing: pit people against each other. Against me, even.

But although I may feel unwelcome in some places, I know that you are full of mercy. You welcome me into your house, with open arms. Thank you for that, Jesus.

Help me not to get sidetracked or behave poorly, even if I am upset. Please give me the strength, self-control, and endurance to not misrepresent you or give you a bad name.

And Lord, I ask that you would help truth to be revealed. That you would stop the spread of any harmful lies.

I ask for your blessing over my brothers and sisters. Especially the ones in other parts of the world, who face extreme consequences for simply confessing you as their Lord. Please give them strength. Cover them with your protection, and fill their hearts with joy.

Strengthen us as well. May we not lose heart due to the extreme cold, the shorter hours of daylight, the restrictions, the inconveniences, the cancellations. Give us stamina and perseverance to continue to seek and serve you with a good attitude. Thank you for the many freedoms that we do still have. Help us to use our time and resources well.

We love you, Lord. Please grow our love for you, Jesus. Increase our passion.

Amen.

To catch up on the rest of this series, you may click the following links:

• What is Better (Series Intro)
• Praying the Psalms – Psalm 1: Thought Life
• Praying the Psalms – Psalm 2: The World
• Praying the Psalms – Psalm 3: Deliverance
• Praying the Psalms – Psalm 4: Distractions

As mentioned earlier, please feel free to add your prayers and prayer requests in the comments. I would love to pray with and for you. May you be blessed today!

Warm wishes,

Lisa

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