Praying the Psalms

Bible Reading: Psalm 25

“Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!” (Psalm 25:6-7)

Whenever we come across hardships in life, where do we turn to? Sometimes our troubles may be very significant. Things such as the loss of loved ones, serious illness, persecution, serious sins we commit. Other times, we just feel overly stressed, our faith just feels weak, and we feel lonely and alone. In these times, where and who do we turn to? 

Too often, whenever problems arise, we turn anywhere but to God. We harden our hearts to reject the issue that is at hand. We wallow in self-pity at our miserable state. We take it out at our friends and family. 

Whether our problems are big or small, let us learn to turn to God and His promises in prayer. If we are God’s children, all things work for good (see Romans 8:28). This includes all the bad things that happen to us. Yet, in these trials, God wants to deal with us so that we may grow to know Him and enjoy Him even more above all things. 

To turn to God requires a humble heart. When we turn everything to God, we give Him complete control. That is hard because, in our pride, we long to take control over our situation. Yet, when we put God in control, we learn to lean and trust in God’s promises. We learn to trust God’s faithfulness and steadfast love even more. As we walk with God in trust, God will answer our prayers and deliver us from our struggles in ways we would not have imagined. From this, we will grow to know God’s holy and loving character even more. We will grow to know that God cares for His children who trust in Him. We will learn that God is always faithful, and He will never fail us. We will learn that God already has and always will forgive us. We will learn that what Christ has already done has secured us eternal joy. This way, our faith will grow, and we will grow to enjoy our relationship with God. 

To take that first step of trust is hard. But, surrender all to God is definitely worth it. 

Take some time to read through and pray along with David’s psalm below. 

Psalm 25: Teach Me Your Paths

Of David.

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in you I trust;

    let me not be put to shame;

    let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

    they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

    teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,

    for you are the God of my salvation;

    for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,

    for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

    according to your steadfast love remember me,

    for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;

    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right,

    and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

    for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name’s sake, O Lord,

    pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?

    Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 His soul shall abide in well-being,

    and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14 The friendship[b] of the Lord is for those who fear him,

    and he makes known to them his covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

    for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

    for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

    bring me out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,

    and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,

    and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

    Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

    for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

    out of all his troubles.