Jenny For Jesus

Sometimes, I find myself at a loss for words. I know I need to be having daily conversations with my Heavenly Father, but the words just don’t come. As I have begun the practice of daily Bible reading and reading the Bible all the way through, yearly, I’ve discovered that God has a solution to my speechlessness. When we don’t know what to say, God gives us prayers through his word.

The book of Psalms is a great place to start. For example, here’s how I turned Psalm 1 into a personal prayer from me to God. “How happy am I when I do not walk in the advice of the wicked, or stand in paths with sinners, or sit in the company of those who make fun of others. Instead, Lord, I want to delight in your instruction, meditate on it day and night. I want to be like a tree planted beside flowing streams, producing fruit, prospering in your will. Lord, I don’t want to be like the wicked who are like worthless things blown away by the wind, who won’t be present in your judgement nor in the assembly of the righteous. I know, God, that you watch over the righteous and that wickedness leads to ruin. Help me, God to walk daily in your instruction and righteousness and stay away from the sinfulness of this world.”

Prayers for just about every situation you may face can be found in this middle book of the Bible. I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that this is the easiest book to find of all 66. It’s smack dab in the middle so that it can be immediately accessible when we are in need of prayerful words.

How many of you have battles you’re facing? Psalm 20 is a perfect prayer. Starting out with “May the Lord answer you in a day of trouble.” I turn it around to “Lord, please answer me in my day of trouble. May the name of Jacob’s God protect me. Send me help, Lord, from the sanctuary, and sustain me in my time of need.” It continues in this same fashion throughout the rest of chapter twenty.

Flipping back through my prayer journal, I see example after example of how the Psalms have given me exactly what I have needed at specific times to commune with God. Times of weakness led me to Psalm 46. When I found myself questioning why some are better off than others even though they are lost, I discovered Psalm 73. I have moments when I have strayed from God and I am brought to Psalm 51. Sometimes I need reminders of the type of person God wants me to be. In those times, I pray Psalm 15 to God.

The Creator of all things loves us and wants a relationship with us; so much so, that he has given us the words for when we cannot develop them ourselves. He’s provided the guidance that we often are desperate for, by sending us prayers displayed in his word. Next time you seek to have a conversation with God but cannot form the words, turn to THE WORD. He will never fail you!