Take a Deep Breath ... Praying Praises to the King

Praying the Psalms

...following SPU's Lectio Guides

November 25 - December 1 

 

First.

Read the assigned Psalms (or plan out a reading schedule for the week ... try one each day)  

• Psalm 47
• Psalm 93
• Psalm 94
• Psalm 95
• Psalm 96
• Psalm 97
• Psalm 98
• Psalm 99

Second.

Read or Listen to Dr. Frank Spina's Presentation

• The Lord Reigns

Third. 

 

 

Take a Deep Breath, and make the words of the Psalm your very own prayer.

Follow this guide ...

 

__________

Praying Psalms 95, 96, & 98
Praying to a God Who Reigns

These Psalms focus on the Lord's Kingship.  They remind us of God's authority over all creation, all nations, and over God's people.  Praying along with these Psalms gives us the words to use in order to acknowledge God's authority, speak to God of our desire to submit to God's authority, and to joyfully celebrate our eternal King.

Many teachings on prayer through the years have asserted that these prayers of praise belong at the beginning: before we bring to God our requests, or even our confessions, we acknowledge who God is and glorify God.  It's worth mentioning that the "A" of the traditional prayer formula A.C.T.S. stands for "Adoration."  And it's no small thing that the first three petitions of the Lord's Prayer have to do with praising a holy God who is our King:

• Hallowed be Thy name.
• Thy kingdom come.
• Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Starting our prayers with praises not only acknowledges who God is, but it also conditions the words that follow.  We remember that God actually does have the power to do something about the concerns we lift up in prayer!

Psalm 95:1-7

*Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.  *Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  *For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.  *In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.  *The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.  *Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; *for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

• Personalize the Praise: Based on verse 3, pray something like this - “Lord, you are a great God.  Not only that, but you are the great King above all gods, above all powers.  And most certainly you are above me.  You are my God and King; I worship you and desire to serve you and live life your way.”
• "Sing for Joy" as you begin praying: Open your prayer time by praying or singing verses 6-7. *Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; *for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.

 

Psalm 96:1-4, 7

*Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  *Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.  *Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.  *For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.  (7)*Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

• Personalize the Praise: Pray the words of verses 4 & 7 – “Lord, you are great, and most worthy of my praise.  You are above all gods; I respect your authority.  I ascribe to you glory and strength: you are glorious beyond my imagination, you are stronger than any other force that exists.  I know you have the strength to do what is needed in response to my prayers.”
• Missional Prayer: Pray these words to ask God to guide you in praising God publicly, being a witness to God’s greatness (verses 2-3).  “Lord, as I praise your name in prayer, I ask you to help me proclaim your salvation day after day. Show me where and how I can declare your glory among the nations.  Guide me to tell the people I meet today about your marvelous actions.”

 
Psalm 98:1-3
*Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.  *The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.  *He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

• Personalize: Express praise for the gift of salvation – “Lord, you have done marvelous things; you have shown your salvation to your people, including me.  This is how I've experienced your salvation: ____________.  I glorify you for this work - you're the one who made it happen!  You’ve made your salvation known all over the world through your church in every land.  Thank you for salvation through Jesus that unites me with your people in all places.”

Extra...94:18-19

*When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.  *When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Great words to pray literally when we experience support and consolation from the Lord!

Pastor Kurt