Daily Prayer for February 4, 2025: Psalm 25

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 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.
(Psalm 25:1-22, ESV)

Prayer: Our God and Father, we thank you that we can approach you in prayer and plead a just cause before you, the Just Judge of heaven and earth, for things that trouble us. We thank you that we can lift our soul to you, crying out to you for things that trouble and discourage us. We thank you that we can trust you because you are the God of truth and righteousness, and there is no deceit in you. We are your chosen and loved people, and you care about every concern we face. We thank you for ensuring that we will never be put to shame at the hands of evil and wicked people because you are our God who sees the evil motives and actions of others, and you are quick to protect and defend us when attacked. Yet, Lord, we confess that we often fail to trust you as we should. We are miserable people who worry and fret over the actions of those who hate you and us. We confess that we are often unwilling to wait patiently for your deliverance, and, as a result, we fail to grow in steadfastness. We know that each of these trials of life is designed to shape us and conform us to the image of your Son. We know that he suffered at the hands of evil people and, as he did, continued to trust you for deliverance. You raised him from the dead. You vindicated your Son. You will vindicate us in your time and pleasure. Therefore, Father, please help us to trust you. Please give us godly patience while we wait for you. Please teach us through those dark providences and cause us to walk with you. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Mediation: Psalm 25