Daily Prayer for December 10, 2024: Psalm 24: 1-6
The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 24:1-6, ESV)
Prayer: Our God in heaven, you who created all things and, therefore, own all things because you made them. We gladly and humbly bow before you today to acknowledge that you are our God and there is no other. You display your glory across the heavens; we witness it each day as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. When we see the moon and the stars, we stand in awe of you. The seasons of our year show forth your promises and habits, and we are provoked to worship you. As God, we are humbled that you are mindful of us, giving us hope for today. Through Christ, you have provided the means by which we can joyfully and reverently approach the place of your dwelling. You dwell in high and lofty places, and though the people of old could not enter the heights and glory of your presence, we can do so through your beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. We confess that if you were to mark iniquities against us, we could not stand. If you were to remember our sins, we could not approach you. We are a people with dirty hands and unclean hearts. We fall short of your glory each day. We do not always use our tongues for good; instead, we use them to destroy instead of encourage. Left to ourselves, we would be locked out of your comfortable presence. If ascending to where you dwell was based on our efforts and labor, we would certainly be prevented from approaching you. Yet, in Christ, we have a Savior with clean hands and a pure heart who used his tongue to speak the truth of your Word to undeserving sinners. In him, we have hope, and in him, we receive that imputed righteousness as we believe that he is our substitute by faith alone. As your people, Father, we desire to live holy lives, and we know that without holiness, no one will see you or ascend to you. Please sanctify us completely and help us to honor you with a pure heart and clean hands. We are unable, but with the help and strength of your Spirit, we can honor you. Please be merciful to us and guide us. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture Meditation: Psalm 24:1-6