Prayer Tip: Astonished by God
Daily Scripture
Psalm 40:1-10
I put all my hope in the LORD. He leaned down to me; he listened to my cry for help. He lifted me out of the pit of death, out of the mud and filth, and set my feet on solid rock. He steadied my legs. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise for our God. Many people will learn of this and be amazed; they will trust the LORD. Those who put their trust in the LORD, who pay no attention to the proud or to those who follow lies, are truly happy! You, LORD my God! You’ve done so many things—your wonderful deeds and your plans for us—no one can compare with you! If I were to proclaim and talk about all of them, they would be too numerous to count! You don’t relish sacrifices or offerings; you don’t require entirely burned offerings or compensation offerings—but you have given me ears! So I said, “Here I come! I’m inscribed in the written scroll. I want to do your will, my God. Your Instruction is deep within me.” I’ve told the good news of your righteousness in the great assembly. I didn’t hold anything back—as you well know, LORD! I didn’t keep your righteousness only to myself. I declared your faithfulness and your salvation. I didn’t hide your loyal love and trustworthiness from the great assembly.
Prayer Tip
Jennifer Creager
by Jennifer Creagar, Community Assistance Coordination Director
What’s your story? We all have a story – good things, bad things, things that make us sing, or cry, or shake our heads in bewilderment. God has always been a part of our story, even if we didn’t acknowledge his existence or pay any attention to God’s will for our lives for a long time.
Today’s scripture is part of David’s own story; a response to God’s presence in his life, even when he was in “the pit of death,” firmly planted in “mud and filth.”
A great prayer practice is to take a close look at our own story and God’s presence in it. I like to put words down on paper, but you could also sing, or shout it to the wind, or quietly whisper, or paint a picture, or doodle your prayer in the corners of your Bible. God loves any form of expression that focuses your attention on God’ love and presence.
Today’s Scripture, Psalm 40:1-10 is a great starting place.
- How would you describe your earliest encounters with God’s presence in your life?
- What was your lowest moment, and how did God show up and lift you out of the mud (or how is God lifting you right now)?
- Sing it out! What words (or pictures, or music, or thoughts and whispers) would you like to give in praise for God’s work?
Like David, don’t hold anything back and don’t keep it to yourself. Share your story. If you keep your eyes and ears, and especially your heart, open, you will see who needs to hear your story.
Lord God, my hope is in you. As I think about my own story today, help me to see all the places you reached down and lifted me up. Help me sing out praise for you and your loving presence in my life. Show me how to share the story of what you have done for me. Help me to remember your love and care always. Amen.
