Praying the Psalms - November, 2009

November 1 (All Saints) - Psalm 146

Clearly as Scripture call on us to praise you, Lord, we do it better in the company of your people throughout history. For you are one one who taught our forebears before us not to "put [our]trust in princes, in mortals in whom there is no help." And through the great clud of witnesses we celebrate today from time immemorial we have come to know that our "help is in the God of Jacob ... who keeps faith forever and executes justice for the oppressed" and "gives food to the hungry."

And so, with all the saints in light, "I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God all my life long."

And as I do in company with others this day and week, I will both heed the call, in your name O God,, to watch over strangers, open the eyes of the blind, set prisoners free, and lift up those who are bowed down, recognizing that you and you alone will reign forever--as you have in generations past and will for generations yet to come. Amen

November 8 (23rd after Pentecost) - Psalm 127

What a gift, the psalmist offers us here, Lord--as relevant in our time and place as in his. Step back, my soul, from all your busyness, your efforts--however well-meaning--to do God's work in your own strength. "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is vain to rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil," we are reminded. Why? Because "he gives sleep to his beloved."

Even our children, Lord, are a heritage from you, "like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the sons of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them." But they, like all we have and are, are gifts from you and only in honoring you do we raise them rightly.

Take us apart from life and the daily round long enough, Lord, to be reminded once again how dependent we are on your power and your Spirit in the building of our homes and the living out of our lives. Then surely, no matter what, we will never be put to shame when we meet our enemies along the way. Amen.

November 15 (24th after Pentecost) - Psalm 16

We are devoted to you, O Lord, because you have devoted yourself to us. As the psalmist witnessed, "[We] have no good apart from you." Over years we have llearned with him to make you "our chosen portion and our cup"--you as well as "the holy ones in the land, in whom is all [our] delight." We have also seen how "those who choose another god multiply their sorrows."

Because you have thus come and now dwell withiin and alongside your people, we affirm that "the boundary lines have fallen for [us] in pleasant places. [We] have a goodly heritage." Given your instruction and good counsel, we have learned the wisdom of keeping you always before us. And 'therefore [our] heart is glad and [our] soul rejoices.... [We] shall not be moved."

You, Lord, have shown us the path to life. "In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore." To live in you is to live indeed! Amen!

November 22 (Christ the King) - Psalm 93

Help us, God, in our daily walk never to forget the lessons of this psalm. You are our king, robed in majestyand girded with strength. There was never a time when it was not so; nor will there ever be, for "you are from everlasting."

Nature witnesses to that in the thundering of the flood's mighty waves, but far more mighty than they, as the psalmist says, "majectic on high is the Lord."

We also have learned that "your decrees are very sure." Therefore "hiliness befits your house ... forevermore.

Be with us yet, lest we forget! Yes, be with us yet, lest we forget. Amen.

November 29 (First in Advent) - Psalm 25:1-10

Time to look ahead, Lord, as another Church Year begins. Pentecost behind us, we begin the cycle again, dwelling in anticipation and hope as we await the coming once again of Jesus Christ among us.

We pray as we wait knowing in advance that in your coming we will never be put to shame. Yet in your mercy and steadfast love, which have been of old, remember not the sins of our youth or our transgressions ever since. Because you are good and upright, lead us in the right and teach us once more your way

Because "the friendship of the Lord is for those who fear [you], and [you] make [your] covenant known to them," we turn our eyes toward you once again. We are in great need of all you offer, and long to be ready when you come among us seeking our love in return. Help us now to watch and wait with patience and devotion for your coming. Amen.