Psalms

When I am walking through a deep, dark valley, the most calming, soothing thing I can do is read the Psalms. They speak to the very depths of my soul. David, the author of the Psalms, experienced every emotion imaginable known to mankind and wasn’t afraid to cry out to God with every one of those emotions. David teaches us how to pray. He teaches us how to talk to God. Taking any of of the Psalms and praying it either verbatim or inserting your own personal words, are a great way to connect with God. Here’s how I pray Psalm 27 (in my own words)…

Lord, you are my light and my salvation;

Thank you that I have no one to fear.

You are the strength of my life.

When evildoers come against me, I pray they will stumble and fall.

Even if an army surrounds me and comes against me, I pray my heart will not fear.

One thing that I desire today is that I may dwell in your house all the days of my life, to gaze upon your beauty.

Lord, hide me in your shelter even in my times of trouble;

Hide me in your secret place. Teach me how to trust in your word.

Lord, thank you for lifting me high upon a rock, lift my head above my enemies.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!

Lord, please do not hide your face from me, do not turn away from me in your anger, for you have been my help.

Please do not forsake me or cast me off, O God of my salvation!

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a smooth path because of my enemies.

False witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. Lord, please do not hand me over to my enemies.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!

Lord, I will wait on you.

Give me strength and courage while I wait on you!