Daily Prayer for February 5, 2025: Psalm 26

Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.
3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
    nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10 in whose hands are evil devices,
    and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
    redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12 My foot stands on level ground;
    in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.
(Psalm 26:1-12, ESV)

Prayer: Our God and Father, who alone are worthy of our praise and worship, we bow before you in humble adoration today to honor you and plead with you to hear us as your redeemed and cherished people. We confess our miserable ways and how prone we are to walk in falsehood, turning aside from what lasts forever. We confess the ease with which we allow our minds and hearts to be disturbed by the actions of evil people. We lament this world and the valley of tears in which we live because we know that it is due to sin that we endure false accusations and lies. We admit to you that these things sometimes trouble our minds and hearts and sometimes lead us to very dark places. Yet, we can lean on you, our Father, knowing that you will vindicate the righteous and all those who walk in integrity before you. Therefore, we plead with you to deal justly with those who speak lies and dwell in falsehood. We ask that you keep us from their influence, protecting us from the ruin they possess and seek to heap on your chosen people. Please cause us to trust you in these times even as your beloved Son entrusted himself to you when men reviled him, called him names, ascribed to him demonic activity, and a host of other awful things. Please forgive those who transgress your Law and seek to harm your people. Please bring them to repentance for their sake. Please justly judge them according to your Word. Please, our God, be gracious to your children we ask and pray through Christ our Lord. Amen,

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 26