A Prayer of Devotion (Psalm 27, Part 1)

May our devotion to the Lord help us in our times of trouble. May a desire to dwell in God’s presence drive us.

Confidence in God (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2027:1-3&version=NIV

Christ, the Light, vanquishes the darkness and we have nothing to fear. May we bring his light to our dark society. God, our illuminating light, leads us along paths of righteousness. God, our life-saving stronghold, delivers us from the attacks of enemies.

Thank You, Lord, that You are our light and our salvation. Help us to shine Your light on our dark society. Thank You that You are the stronghold of our lives. We ask for Your guidance in the face of attacks.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_leave_me_not

Living Blamelessly (Psalm 26, Part 3)

Receive God’s Righteousness (verses 9-11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026:9-11&version=NIV

We receive righteousness by committing ourselves to a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As we enter God’s presence through Christ’s redeeming blood we pray with humility and confidence, “redeem me and be merciful to me.”

Redeem us and be merciful to us, Lord. We ask for mercy, that we do not share the fate of sinners. Thank You that You have declared us blameless through Jesus Christ and have redeemed us. Give us Your righteousness and help us to live blameless lives.

Praise God (verse 12)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026:12&version=NIV

The psalm which began defensively, ends with praise. We can only tentatively enter God’s house, depending on His redemption, grace, and mercy.

Thank You, God, that because of the work of Jesus Christ our feet do stand on level ground. In Your great congregation we praise You, Lord.

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;

Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.

See if there be some wicked way in me;

Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.

J. Edwin Orr (1912-1987)

Living Blamelessly (Psalm 26, Part 2)

Avoid Evil Associations (verses 4-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026:4-5&version=NIV

Jesus spent much of His time associating with the “riff-raff” of his local society. Like Jesus, we must associate with sinful people in order to enable them to experience the love of God. However, in order to walk in God’s presence, the evil lifestyles of those around us must not attract us.

Lord God, help us not to dwell with those who do evil. May we walk continually in Your presence, and avoid associating with evil.

Love God’s House (verses 6-8)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026:6-8&version=NIV

In God’s house we praise Him, telling all of His wonderful deeds. In the church, where God’s glory dwells, His people meet with Him and with each other.

Lord, we wash our hands in innocence when we come to Your altar. May the wonders of Your grace free our tongues to sing Your praise. Make our love for Your house increase.

Living Blamelessly (Psalm 26, Part 1)

Psalm 26 describes what it means to live blamelessly. If we want to impact our community, we must live blamelessly.

Trust in God (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2026:1-3&version=NIV

God’s holiness cannot overlook sin nor excuse the sinner; yet because of His mercy God will justify every person who believes in Jesus Christ. We trust in God through His Son Jesus.

Vindicate us, Lord. We trust in You. Test us, try us, and examine our hearts and minds. Keep us always aware of Your unfailing love as we live in reliance on Your faithfulness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTqYdm_TvtU&feature=related

Prayer of Trust in God (Psalm 25, Part 3)

Fear of God (verses 12-15)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:12-15&version=NIV

Our fear of God acknowledges our absolute dependence on Him for mercy, forgiveness, and existence. As we travel God’s way, He delivers us from our enemies. He binds Himself to us by His steadfast love.

Lord, increase our fear of You. Instruct us in the way we should choose. Make Your covenant known to us. In our loneliness, fear and danger, we turn to You for help.

Prayer for Refuge (verses 16-22)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:16-22&version=NIV

Our loving God graciously removes our anguish. His Son, Jesus Christ, provides a refuge from the bondage of sin. The Savior of the individual is also the Savior of society. The individual lament is transformed into a community lament.

Lord, turn to us and be gracious to us, for we are lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of our hearts and free us from our anguish. Take away all our sins. Guard our lives and rescue us; we take refuge in You. Our hope, Lord, is in You. Redeem Jefferson County, O God, from all our troubles!

Since as you lead, Lord, your ways to life are found, which you have walked, make them known to me, so that through those very ways I may walk, and teach me your paths so that I may proceed on them. And as I do this very thing you direct me in your truth and lead me, because you are my God of salvation.

Arnobius the Younger (5^th century)

Prayer of Trust in God (Psalm 25, Part 2)

Praise of God’s Faithfulness (verses 8-10)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:8-10&version=NIV

God instructs and guides His people. He is loving and faithful to us, showing us the way as we look to Jesus, the holy Way God has provided.

Good and upright are You, Lord; therefore instruct us in Your ways. Thank You for guiding us in what is right, and teaching us Your way. As we humble ourselves in obedience before You, guide us in what is right and teach us Your way.

Prayer for Forgiveness (verse 11)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:11&version=NIV

Because God is holy, He cannot ignore sin; but because He is merciful, He forgives sins. God’s grace, mercy and goodness are seen most clearly in His Son, Jesus Christ, who was conceived to save sinners, and whose blood washes away sin and guilt.

For the sake of Your name, O Lord, forgive our sins, though they are great. Praise You, God, for Your forgiveness.

Prayer of Trust in God (Psalm 25, Part 1)

Psalm 25 teaches us to trust in God and reminds us that prayer is a two-way personal conversation with God.

Prayer of Trust (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:1-3&version=NIV

We all deserve to be covered with shame, for we have all sinned. But God will not allow those who trust in Him be put to shame. God’s purpose is to bring sinners to Himself. Trust rather than sinless obedience brings us to God. Trust is our human response to God.

In You, Lord our God, we put our trust. Thank You that no one who hopes in You will be put to shame. Strengthen our faith, Lord.

Plea for Deliverance (verses 4-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2025:4-7&version=NIV

God responds to humble sinners who rely entirely on Him. He will deliver us. Through Jesus Christ, the Way, God shows us the way. Through Jesus Christ, the Truth, God guides us in His truth. And through Jesus Christ, the Life, God gives us life.

Show us Your way, Lord. Guide us in Your truth. Give us Your life. Thank You that because You are our Savior You deliver us, and our hope is in You. Do not remember the sins of our youth and our rebellious ways; according to Your love remember us. Thank You that we can confidently pray for forgiveness, for You act in mercy and love.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_i_lift_my_prayer

Our King of Glory (Psalm 24, Part 3)

Our Glorious King (verses 7-10)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2024:7-10&version=NIV

When Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, as victor over all his enemies, the gates of heaven opened. “Who is that King of glory?” Jesus Christ, who rules forever. As he has gone to heaven a victor, we too shall follow in triumph. Our Lord Jesus Christ lifts high the eternal gates to the universal church.

Thank You, God, that You have opened the gates of Your kingdom to us. Praise You for Jesus Christ, the King of glory, the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Help us to turn our daily battles over to You. We pray that we may be the means of opening the doors of Your kingdom to others in our community. Praise You, our King of glory.

The king of glory! Who can tell

The wonders of his might?

He rules the nations; but to dwell

With saints is his delight.

Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_ye_gates

Our King of Glory (Psalm 24, Part 2)

Our Holy God (verses 3-6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2024:3-6&version=NIV

Idolatry rules our society—whether it is the environment, the acquisition of things, or money, sports, entertainment, families, or even churches—whatever displaces God at the center of our lives. We ascend the mountain of the Lord only through righteousness we receive when we wash our hands in Jesus’ blood. Pilate tried to clean his hands, but all the water in the world could not remove the stain of the blood of the Son of God. A pure heart and clean hands go together. With pure hearts we devote ourselves to God in love and obedience. May God to help us to clean our hearts and hands with Himself.

Lord, clean our hands and purify our hearts so that we may ascend Your mountain. Make our desire to worship You an integral part of our lives. Thank You for vindicating us and giving us Your blessing. May we seek You above everything.

Our King of Glory (Psalm 24, Part 1)

The worship song of Psalm 24 reveals the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23), the Sovereign Lord, wearing a crown of glory.

Our Creator-God (verses 1-2)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps%2024:1-2&version=NIV

Since our Creator is concerned with the well-being of the entire cosmos, we should protect God’s earth with environmental sensitivity. Our technologies have increased the fullness of the earth, but our technologies have also over-taxed this fullness. In our irresponsible lordship over the earth we destroy God’s good creation.

Thank You, Creator-God for the wonders of Your earth. May our lives reflect the fact that the earth is Yours and everything in it. Make us good and faithful stewards of it. May our care for Your good earth reflect our submission to Your sovereignty.

The Good Shepherd's Care (Psalm 23, Part 3)

The Shepherd’s Preservation (verse 6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:6&version=NIV

May God’s goodness and mercy continually flow through us. We dwell in God’s house as we unite with God’s family in worship.

Lord, thank You that Your goodness and love follow us all the days of our lives. May this lead us to live lives of justice and compassion as we dwell eternally with You.

The King of love my Shepherd is,

Whose goodness faileth never;

I nothing lack if I am His,

And He is mine forever.

Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)

The Good Shepherd's Care (Psalm 23, Part 2)

The Shepherd’s Protection (verses 4-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:4-5&version=NIV

Just as Christ used the rod of God’s Word in His encounter with Satan, we can use that same rod to counter Satan’s attacks. The night before his death, Jesus prepared a table in the presence of his enemy. At the Lord’s Table may we recognize our bond with Him and with others.

Lord, even though we walk through the darkest valley, we fear no evil, for You are with us. You comfort us. Use Your rod to keep us from sin and Your staff to keep us in truth. Thank You for Your table: Your broken body and shed blood. Thank You for Your overflowing cup of blessing.

The Good Shepherd's Care (Psalm 23, Part 1)

After we have read, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalm 22), we come to “The Lord is my Shepherd” (Psalm 23). Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is also the sacrificed Lamb of God, who takes away our sin.

The Shepherd’s Provision (verses 1-3)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023:1-3&version=NIV

When we concern ourselves with our houses, cars, clothing, money, and stocks we cannot say, “The Lord is my shepherd.” In the chaos of our confused and sick society, our Good Shepherd invites us to put our confidence in Him. He restores hope, giving us direction. We follow his path to a cross. May we live at the foot of that cross.

Forgive us, Lord, for putting our trust in ourselves and what we have. Reestablish a relationship with us as our Shepherd. Thank You that as our shepherd we lack nothing. You make us lie down in green pastures, You lead us beside quiet waters and You refresh our souls. Thank You for guiding us along the right paths for Your name’s sake.

www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_live_psalm23