Thursday, February 21: Praying with the Psalms

Begin your prayer time by lighting a candle or by ringing the opening bell in the right hand column at the website here. Allow the ringing of the bell to draw you into sacred space with God. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in God's love and presence, breathing out any distractions, plans or worries.

Lord, Jesus Christ, teach me to pray.

The Psalms are the prayer book of the Bible.  These songs and hymns have been  prayed by Jews and Christians of every denomination for millennia.  There are still monastic communities that pray all of the Psalms through every single week.  Join today in this ancient practice by not just reading the following Psalm, but actually praying it.

Prepare yourself for the reading of the scripture passage by quieting yourself and  asking God to speak to you in this passage.  Pray the passage slowly with both the mind and the heart.  Recall as you pray that you are praying a prayer that has been recited countless number of times by our spiritual ancestors for thousands and thousands of years.  Your prayer joins with their prayers.  Click here for a contemporary version of this Psalm from Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrilll.  

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.  

Therefore we will not fear, though the  earth be moved,
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

Though its waters rage and foam,
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.  

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.  

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.

God is in the midst of her;
she shall not be overthrown;
God shall help her at the break of day.

The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come now and look upon the works of the Lord,
what awesome things he has done on earth.  

It is he who makes war to cease in all the world;
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.

“Be still, then, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

After praying the prayer through at least two times, finish the prayer by responding to the invitation from God in this Psalm to “Be still, then, and know that I am God.”  That is all.  Be still.  Know that God is God.  Remain in stillness for several minutes.  

For your journal:

Was there anything particular that spoke to you in the Psalm?   Did it feel like prayer to you? How do you feel about the stillness, about being  still?  What does it mean to you to know that God is God?   

Loving God,  Still my restless and fearful heart.  May I live each day knowing that whatever comes, whether blessing or pain, you are my refuge and strength, always  present in love.  Amen