Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Yes and amen.

A prayer and reflection on Psalm 62

LORD my Lord,
You are my rock and my salvation, the God in whom I trust, my help in times of need. Though the world around me should shake and crumble, you are my fortress and my dwelling place! My body and my soul shall not be shaken, for I take refuge in you my Lord and Savior.

My heart and my soul waits for you in silence, and in you alone I wait for an answer — for a sign, a signal — for your hand to work wonders in my life. I trust you, Lord, with my life: my studies and my devotions, my career and my ministry, my health and my finances, my friendships and relationships. There is nothing in this world that I don’t have faith in you for, because I know that you have the whole world in your hands; you have my life planned to the utmost abundance of goodness!

A prayer and reflection on Psalm 29

Father in Heaven,
I bring praise and glory to your name, for you have spoken over the waters and the seas, the glory from your voice — full of majesty — shakes the earth! My heart rejoices because though you speak, I am alive to hear your voice! I am unworthy to hear you speak, undeserving of your self-revelation.

For I am a sinner, a son who has sinned against his Father — even though I have been commanded innumerable times to be obedient. So thank you Lord for your mercy. While flames of fire come forth from your mouth and makes the ground tremble, I do not fear, for the fire of your Spirit gives me life. Through your Son’s atoning sacrifice I am made righteous before you. Now a sinner called a saint, you remember not my inequities.

A prayer and reflection on Psalm 139

Father Almighty,
You have searched me, and you know me. You know everything about me. Everything that I think about: all my dreams, hopes, and ambitions; all of my sins, failures and weaknesses. You know it all. And in all this, you know even my hidden intentions, including the worthless affections and vain desires that I hold in secret. Wherever I go, whatever I do, you know my heart—you know every reason, motive, and purpose behind it. Even before I think it, want it, feel it or do it, you knew every detail about it. Before I even confess anything to you, before I open my mouth—my words are intimately known by you.

For you are God. I cannot lie to you. Even if I speak untruths, you know already what is truly on my mind.

I could run, I could hide, but I can never escape your presence. You are here, there, you are everywhere. I dare not even try to flee from you, for such would be a waste of my energy—you would be there before I move one step. Therefore, I come to you; I run to you and hide myself in you and in your Son, Jesus the Christ. For from you, in you, and through you alone I live, move, and breathe.

A prayer and reflection on Psalm 40

O Lord my God, I am poor and needy. Remember me and forget not my needs, my desires, for they are aspirations that are all for you and for your body, for your glory and your people’s good. You are my only true help and deliverer. In you alone I trust! Upon you I wait for my deliverance; O Lord, do not delay!

I seek you in thy Word, Father, and not in the vain pleasures of the world. Vanity is deceiving, but I know that you search my inner most being. You search my heart and my soul, and may you find within only an earnest zeal for knowing you. May I find joy and happiness in your person; may you give freely the person of your Son. For He alone has paid the price for which I could not pay, for the sins and transgressions of my hands, that I may be counted righteous in your sight. I rejoice because I can call you “Father”, and you call me “Beloved, my son”. But if it was not for your one and only begotten Son, such would not be possible.