Daily Prayer for March 29, 2023 (Psalm 61)
Prayer: We praise you, O most holy God and Father of your people, for the infinite kindness and grace you extend to us. Though many things often assail us in this life, we know that you hear us when we cry out to you. Through Christ, our great High Priest, we have bold access to your presence and glory where the angels proclaim, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.” We thank you that you are not like the deaf idols of our day. You have ears to hear and eyes to see, and you are mindful of us when we plead with you for what we need. Because we can call to you, and because you hear us, we can have confidence that you will lead us to the rock, which is Christ. He is our sure foundation, and in his name, we pray to you as the one who is our strong tower and refuge in a dark and dying world. We plead with you, Father, to help us in all our struggles. We ask that you would be pleased to allow us to dwell securely with you for all eternity as we root our trust in you in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. We further ask that you give us what you command so that we may live according to all that you have said to us, causing us to be faithful to you in all of our words, thoughts, and actions. We pray that you would prolong our days on this earth and use them for the glory of your kingdom and the advancement of the Gospel. Help us, O Lord, to praise you with our lips and life as we pilgrim from this tent that is passing away to the eternal tent that will never end. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Psa. 61
Prayer: Our God, you are good and kind, a god of mercy and grace, holy in all your dealings with the children of men. Due to our sin, calamity and evil come upon us as we gaze out and see the effects of sin on our world. As you make us see hard things, we are quickly reminded that you have set up a banner for those who fear you. Father, we confess that we struggle to understand what you do in this world. We know that sin has wrecked all that you have made, and we know that sin has so corrupted the hearts and minds of men that they willingly choose that which is evil. Through it, you continue to remind your church of your eternal love and favor for them. No, you do not spare us from evil, but you hold us fast in your hand throughout and see to it that we arrive safely in the land you are preparing for us. Who is it that leads us? It is you, our Rock and Redeemer. Who is it that will never forget us? It is you, the eternal God, who favors his children through the work of the eternal Son. Therefore, our Father, we can rest confidently and securely in your eternal hands, knowing that you ordain all things and bring them to pass for the good of your people. Please help us to remember that though hard days are the lot of your people in this life, a day is coming when we will be eternally blessed in your presence. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer: We thank you, Father, for your wise provision of the Lord’s Day as it reminds us of the need we have to come apart from the world and worship with your people. We thank you for teaching us that you are holy and have a right to demand from your creatures whatever pleases you. We thank you that it reminds us of the eternal rest promised to your redeemed people, and we thank you that it was secured through him who is our Sabbath rest, the Lord Jesus Christ. Forgive us, Father, for the many ways we do not take advantage of the glory of this day you have made. Forgive us for going our own way and doing our own pleasure. Forgive us because the way we treat that which you say is holy is really an affront and offense to you, our holy God. Please grant us a great willingness to obey you from the heart. Please grant us comfort as we pilgrim from this world to the one you are preparing for those who love you. Please give us an abundance of your Spirit as we gather to worship you on this most holy day, and in it, show us something of your glory for the good of your holy name and that of your chosen people. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we bless your name today because you alone are holy and righteous, our God who has redeemed us from the ways of this failing world wrecked by sin and infested with wicked people. Due to your infinite wisdom, you left us here as pilgrims and exiles in a world without desire for your ways or your law. As such, they regularly persecute and trouble your people. They are not only our enemies, but they are yours as well. We face hardship on every side, and many in your kingdom are tortured and murdered for the sake of the cross of Christ. They are relentless and seem to be evading your judgment and wrath. Yet, we know that you are mindful of your people. We know that you see every evil act against the redeemed of the Lord and the bride of Jesus Christ. We know that you laugh at the efforts of evil people to bring harm to your church and will, eventually, vindicate your just cause and your holy people. Yet, we confess that sometimes they cause us to worry and fret though you have told us to trust you. We confess that we are often troubled by the efforts of these people though we know you are a fortress that we can hide in and find safety and rest. As such, we have good reason to praise you because you will not let a hair fall from our head without your deliberate intention. Please help us, Lord! Please help us to trust you and walk faithfully with you, whatever the circumstance. May you help us to see that as exiles in this place, we will face the opposition of the godless, but through it, we have the confidence of your goodness and protection. Please grant us more of your Spirit that we might live today unto Christ. These things we pray in his name. Amen.
Prayer: Father, we live in a world that demonstrates the wickedness of sin each day. As your redeemed people, we are not immune to their influences and efforts. Unlike the dead idols of this world, you decree what is good and right, and in your wisdom, you allow your people to suffer at the hands of evil actors. As your people, we often wrestle with your divine wisdom and infinite knowledge of all events that occur in our world. We are creatures of dust. We are frail and possess limited knowledge and understanding. Yet, your Word tells us that those who seek to harm your people will never escape your judgment and wrath. We pray that you would help us love our enemies as your Son taught us. WE pray that you would be pleased to rescue them from the prison of their sin and open their eyes and ears to the hope of the Gospel. We pray that you would spare your people from the total onslaught of the Evil One to ruin us. We pray that you will help us. Yet, you do encourage us with the knowledge that the wicked and evil of our world will never escape your judgment. Though they may escape the justice of men, they will never escape yours. As such, we will rejoice when you deal righteously with those who seek to harm us. Until then, Father, grant us the will to persevere, walking faithfully with you even in the face of difficult people. Please rescue us from the efforts of the enemy of our souls and bring us safely to your celestial city. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Father: We confess to you, our God, that this life is often hard and full of great difficulties. We see it in our bodies as they grow old and wither away. We see it in the full effects of sin as men made in your image return to the dust from which they were created. We see it in the opposition of family and friends simply because we have your Name on our hearts and minds. Because we are yours and you love us, we can cry out to you and seek your help in our times of hardship and pain. In those times of sorrow and uncertainties, we are moved to look up to heaven and cry out to you for help. We do so until the storms pass, and your relief is granted to your wandering and helpless sheep. We desire your will, Father, though we confess that we rarely understand what you do. You take from us our loved ones. You bring trouble into our lives. You allow evil people to torment us. None of these things seem good to us, but they do to you. You alone are good, and you alone are wise — wiser than all. Therefore, we trust and believe you when you tell us you are for us. Please help us in our unbelief and grant us a deeper, abiding faith in you. We long for you to be exalted, O Lord. Therefore, bring glory to your Name and help your people we pray through Christ our Lord. 
