10 Daily Prayers from the Psalms

Barry Lawrence

The book of Psalms was the prayer book for the Old Testament saint. The Psalms are filled with examples of the Psalmist seeking God. Below are ten prayers that I attempt to pray on a regular basis in my life.  I would encourage you to pray these individually and with your family.

1.      

       Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:5 

This is a big picture prayer. This is the goal of all that God does. One day the glory will fill the earth when Jesus returns and shines as bright as the sun, and peoples from every tribe, tongue, and nation will rejoice. But today, in every square inch of this earth, may his glory spread starting with my life.

2.      Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:12-13

This is a prayer expressing the desire that all my words and motives would be pleasing to the Lord who is worthy of all praise. Give me words saturated with your gospel and dripping with your grace to others. Give me a heart that points to you as my Treasure and obeys you wholeheartedly.

3.      Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there is any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 

This acknowledges the reality that although my new heart desires to please the Lord, I am still in my sinful flesh and need the light of God on my life to rout out indwelling sin. Praying this prayer is dangerous as God uncovers sin in my life, but wonderfully liberating as we run back to the cross.

4.       Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 

I constantly need his cleansing in my life and a reorientation of my heart to seek God. This prayer naturally follows God searching my heart and pointing out sin in my life.

5.      Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 

Unless God is empowering and blessing me today, nothing will last and have eternal impact. I am not looking just to do big things for God, but I want him to help me be faithful in the little things as well so that I will have a lasting impact for his glory.

6.      Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I might walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 

The Christian life is obedience God has called me to follow. But the heart is the key. There are constant battles in my heart between the flesh and the Spirit. Knowing that I am prone to wander, this prayer is a cry to have a united focused heart, to fear the Lord and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

7.      My soul melts away with sorrow; strengthen me according to your Word. Psalm 119:38 

This prayer may not apply all the time in my life. But there are others in difficult situations for whom can pray this prayer, discouraged and weary, who can only be strengthened by the promises of God in Christ.

8.      But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your name say continually, "Great is the Lord!" Psalm 40:16 

This prayer keeps me in awe of the great salvation so that I exult in Christ alone. This is my heart for my family and for Journey. This is my desire for the millions still unreached that by his grace they would love Christ and be glad in him.

9.      Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations. Psalm 82:8 

This prayer is both a comfort and reminder. When I pray this prayer I am reminded that justice will be served in this fallen oppressive world when Jesus returns, that he will reign forever and ever and I will reign with him. Come Lord Jesus!

10.  Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1 

This is the ultimate and foundational prayer of any Christian. All glory to God alone. The basis of this prayer is that he loves me forever and will be faithful to all the promises that are in Christ.