Daily Prayer for January 15, 2025: Psalm 11

In the Lord I take refuge;
how can you say to my soul,
    “Flee like a bird to your mountain,
for behold, the wicked bend the bow;
    they have fitted their arrow to the string
    to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;
if the foundations are destroyed,
    what can the righteous do?”

The Lord is in his holy temple;
    the Lord's throne is in heaven;
    his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.
The Lord tests the righteous,
    but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.
Let him rain coals on the wicked;
    fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.
For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
    the upright shall behold his face.
(Psalm 11:1-7, ESV)

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, you alone are sovereign, declaring the end from the beginning and ordering our affairs each day according to your perfect will. We thank you that you are our King, that you dwell in your holy temple, governing the affairs of this world and those creatures you made. We confess to you our tendency to wander from your commands. We confess to you the ease by which people cause us to fret and fear instead of living boldly for your kingdom. There are many in our lives who would prefer we did not mention you, your Word, the Savior, his kindness and grace, and your demands on us to follow you wholeheartedly each day. These people sometimes seek our ruin, but we continue to trust you. Like many of the saints that have come before us, we are sometimes tested and tried by you. We are reminded of the testing of Abraham when you directed him to offer his son, his only son, as a sacrifice to you. We are reminded of the many ways in which you tested Moses as he sought to shepherd your people in the wilderness. We are reminded of the labors of your Son and the numerous ways wicked people tried him. Yet, you do not test us to harm us, but to refine us. We pray, therefore, that you would do so, conforming us into the image of the all-glorious Savior. Please help us to remember that we pray for your will to be done. Therefore, please help us to be content in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. We pray these things through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 11