A Prayer of Hope

Psalm 3 (Pray every day for week three)

By King David, at the time he fled from his son Absalom.

A Prayer of Hope

1 O Lord, even members of my own family are against me.

What happened to the stability of my family tree?

2 So many are saying, "Do you not see?

Even God can not help you through this stormy sea."

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;

You are my glory, the One who holds my head high.

4 It is to you, O Lord, to whom I now cry,

Believing that you will be attentive to my mournful sigh.

Please answer my pray, lest I die.

5 Now I will lay down and sleep,

Trusting to you my safety to keep.

Assure me that you are watching over me,

Saving me from being afraid of my enemy,

7 Arise this morning, O Lord, and have your say.

Rescue your servant on this very day.

Put all my enemies in their place.

Expand my territory and give me space.

8 Help me to accept your blessing in this race,

As we communicate forever face to face.

You will be given the Nations

Second Week - Pray this Psalm Daily
Psalm 2 (Paraphrase of the New Living Translation)

1 Why are the twenty first century nations so angry?

Why do they waste their time with a futile plan?

2 The so called national leaders are in a great battle,

Against their own historic religious stand;

The rulers of education and government plot together

To deny the existence of the Creator of the Universe;

Especially against his anointed One.

3 "Let us break our national historic religious chains," they cry,

"And free ourselves from slavery to faith in God and his Son."

4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs.

The Lord scoffs at them.

5 Then in anger he rebukes their rebellion and sin,

Terrifying them with great recessions in their faces.

6 For the Lord declares, "I will place my chosen ones,

On seats of power in the great cities and in my holy places"

7 The chosen will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

The Lord said to me, "You are my daughters and my sons.

You are the chosen ones.

You, who live like orphans, recognize me as your Father.

8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance."

The whole earth is under the stewardship of his chosen ones.

9 You will break the secular rebels with an iron rod

And smash their progressive governments like broken sod.

10 Now then, you leaders, act wisely!

Be warned, you rulers of the earth! God says,

"This world is mine. It is not your turf!

11 Accept your place of leadership with reverent fear.

Rejoice with trembling, and to Me draw near."

12 Submit to God’s royal Son. Then He will not be angry,

And you will not be humiliated by your self proclaimed glory.

For only the obedient will live to tell a victory story.

What joy will be theirs, all who take refuge in Him,

Rejecting the temptation to sin by seeking to win over Him.

Listen to our Cries

Psalm 5:1-5 8,11,12 NIV (paraphrased in poetic verse)

1 O LORD, We are thirsty for You as the water of life.

You are the living water that heals our bitterness and strife.

Our souls are dry for the want of your companionship.

We want closeness as wet is to water, as husband is to wife.

2 Please listen to our cries O Lord our God.

Our hearts are heavy with burdens and cares.

Night and day we intercede with You in prayer.

We trust that You will keep your promises, fair and square.

3 We desire to begin each day, calling on You.

Even now we are praying for a gift that is powerful and new.

Before evening we ask You to receive our request and praise.

We pray for your Spirit's "tongues of fire" to set us ablaze.

4 Because You are not a God who takes pleasure punishing,

We are confident You will hear our desperate cry.

5 To our pride and arrogance we want to say good-by,

Since only humility is acceptable in the sweet by and by.

8 Lead us, O LORD, in what we confess and in what we request.

Most of all, lead us to walk with You in righteousness.

We know we can not earn credits to ride the heaven bound bus.

Therefore, we ask for grace to share your goodness with us.

11 Let all who take refuge forgiveness be glad, not sad.

Put smiles on our faces, as we sing joyfully in your graces.

Give protection to us like a mother hen cares for her new born;

That we may know the comfort for those who repent and mourn.

12 We have confidence in You as we confess our failure.

Your word assures us You will surround us with arms of favor,

We praise You for blessing when we come confident and bold.

Assured of comfort as a mother shields her babies from the cold