Month: February 2021

Protect me from these demons, O God,
from the forces that try to tear away who I am.
Protect me from the external and internal forces
that try to corrupt the goodness in me.

I can sense them all around me
waiting for me to let my guard down.
One little misstep
and they will be ready to pounce!

Be with me God!
Give me the strength I need
to keep these terrors at bay!
Do not let them devour me!

They are always there waiting,
Trying to chip away at me,
Trying to make me think that I am not enough,
that I am unworthy of their love.

But you love shines through the darkness, O God,
You are always here with me
to remind me that you love me;
Just as I am…
…just as you made me.

Even is I can free myself from these demons
with your loving guidance,
Do not let them retreat into the darkness,
waiting for another victim.
Shine your light on them
So that we may know each other’s demons
And protect each other from them.

It is through your love that we have the strength to carry on.
You offer protection, support and love
to all who seek it;
And for that I will be eternally grateful.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+59&version=NRSV

You have offered a path of righteousness,
And yet so many choose to go astray.
They take whatever they want,
no matter the cost to those around them.

Were they born with evil inside of them?
A rotten seed that has taken root,
Darkening their hearts,
Tarnishing their souls.

Clearly, they are deaf to the cries of the world
that speak out against the injustices they perpetuate.
They are blind to the hurt and destruction
they leave in their wake.

Surely, they must be punished for the atrocities they commit!
Let them experience the pain they cause.
Break their hearts of stone;
Make them feel the pain
they caused with each injustice!

Teach them to feel remorse for what they have done,
So that their victims may find peace;
May see the justice done that they so desperately crave.
Then how they will praise you for the work you have done!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+58&version=NRSV

The storm may rage on around me,
But I am safe and warm – sheltered by your love.
When I cry out in distress,
you are right there to comfort and to guide me.
In every challenge I face in life,
you are right here with me;
Enveloping me in your steadfast love.

The jaws of the world snap at me
trying to take pieces of me,
But I remain whole;
Thanks to your love and support.

When I am in the pits of despair
you offer me a hand to hold.
When I am lost in the darkness
you provide me with light.
When I feel as if I don’t have the strength to go on
you lift me up and set me in motion once again.

What words could be enough to express my gratitude
for all you have done for me.

So, I will sing your praises without ceasing.
May my words express the joy you have brought to my life.
May my actions serve you in all I do.
May my entire being praise you and serve your people.
For it is your love that offers peace and joy to all the earth.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+57&version=NRSV

Be gentle with me God,
For I am weary.
The days have been a struggle
and I am feeling off balance,
But I know I can lean on you
and you will guide me through any storm.

The world tries to knock me down
over and over again.
I have never quite fit the mold
that society tries to cast me into.
When I try to fit the expectations of the world
I lose sight of myself,
And when I am true to myself
I struggle to find the place where I fit.

You know as well as I do the struggles I have faced.
You were with me every step of the way;
Even when I failed to recognize your presence.
I am eternally grateful to have you by my side;
Reminding me of who I am.

For by your hands, I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
You made me just the way I was meant to be.
You set me on a path to serve your people,
equipped with all the gifts and skills needed for the task.
I sing your praises for the unique way you made me,
and I will no longer be ashamed of who I am.
From now on I will love freely and indiscriminately,
Because you have taught me how to love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+56&version=NRSV

Hear me, O God,
listen to my prayers,
For I am unsettled, unsure,
and in need of help.
I am being tempted by those around me
to a path I know is not good for me.

It is a road I have been down before;
I tremble when I think of all the stupid things I did…
…the risks I took…
…the bad choices I made…
…the harm I caused to myself and others.
I cannot go down that path again!

But God at times I am tempted!
At times I feel like this path I need to walk
has driven a wedge between me and my friends.
I feel like I am on the outside watching them have fun;
Afraid of joining in.
Surely one drink couldn’t hurt…

But God I know it could!
And how much it could.
Give me the strength to resist the temptation.
Teach me new ways to be with my friends,
So that I don’t make old mistakes.
God, I know with your help
I can weather any storm!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+55&version=NRSV

Heal me, O God!
Show me how to let go of the resentment and anger
I harbor towards the one who hurt me.
I want to forgive him and move forward in my life,
But when I think of the lasting damage he has caused me,
a hatred courses through me like I have never known before.

Cleanse my heart, O God!
Free me from this pain, this anger, this hate.
Let him impact my life no longer.

I offer this obstacle to you,
Knowing you will show me the way forward,
Just as you have guided me so many times before.
I know with your help I will find myself once again!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+54&version=NRSV

A note on inclusive language: Some people have stopped using pronouns for God because using exclusively male pronouns for God can create a gender bias. When I am in a leadership role I typically just avoid the use of pronouns or try to use a variety of gendered terms in different places. Although I believe God exists beyond our gender constructs we are still constrained by our language and sometimes a pronoun helps a phrase flow better. I was raised in a church that used male pronouns for God and that works for me personally so I do at times fall back on male pronouns and imagery when writing or praying for myself. When use gendered pronouns feel free to replace them with something that works for you. Today I have included some suggestions in brackets.

How can someone look at this miraculous creation and deny God exists?
God has gifted us with so many ways to know Him (Her, Them, God).
How can someone not recognize the divine at work in the world?

How can you look at the vastness of the universe,
and not see God in the immensity of space?
How can you look at the microscopic particles that make up all things,
and not see God in the complexity of life?
How can you look at the beauty of a well-balanced ecosystem
and not see God in the interconnectedness of all things?

If you open your heart and your mind
you will see God in all around you,
you will begin to understand more fully
the mysteries of creation,
and you will be able to connect with creation
in ways you never even imagined!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+53&version=NRSV

Why do you think it is okay to hoard riches,
while those who work for you are fighting to survive?
How can you build your industry at the expense of the environment,
polluting the earth we all share?
Do you think that you deserve praise for exploiting a broken system,
so that you could place yourself above others.
Do you truly believe your actions are good?

Do you not know that all goodness comes from God?
…that we have been gifted this beautiful earth,
and charged with it is care?
Do you not understand that you are connected to a global community?
…that if your triumphs come at the expense of others,
they are no triumphs at all.

God created us in love,
And calls us to live lives love.
We were meant to care for one another,
To share with each other,
And to learn and grow together.
I give thanks to God for the gift of community,
And pray that one day you will understand it too!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+52&version=NRSV

Forgive me, O God,
for I have sinned,
I have chosen paths that lead me away from you;
Made decisions that have hurt others…
…hurt creation…
…hurt myself…

I have acted in ways against my nature;
Against the way you created me;
In order to try to “fit in” to broken social system.
I have made so many mistakes,
hurt too many people;
All because I was denying my true self
and hiding behind social constructs
that left me unsure how to act.

Strip me of the layers and walls I have built up around myself, O God,
Cleanse my spirit,
Renew my true self,
So that I may serve you,
So that each choice I make will bring me closer…
…closer to your people…
…to your creation…
…and to you!

Help me, O god,
To live authentically,
To love and serve others,
To live in respect to creation,
And to look for you in all things!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+51&version=NRSV

God has gifted us with so much.
A world of beauty
With all we need –
food, water shelter
companionship, creativity, education –
God has blessed us with so many gifts;
What can we give in return?

Take care of the earth,
Walk gently with creation,
Taking only what you need,
Using all you take.

Live with compassion,
Support your friends and neighbours,
Share what you have with those in need,
Work for the betterment of others.

Give thanks and be grateful,
Praise God for the gifts you were given,
Celebrate the good things in life,
Recognize you have the strength to overcome the challenges.

Caring for creation,
Creating communities of support,
And seeing God’s gift in all things,
Surely this is all God asks of you.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+50&version=NRSV