Daily Prayer for January 27, 2025: Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
(Psalm 19:1-14, ESV)

Prayer: Grant to us, our God, eyes to see and hearts to praise because you have revealed yourself in what you have made and written. Grant to us, we plead with you, to pause long enough and see the beauty and glory of your creation, for you have made all things to reveal your glory and bring joy to our hearts. From the rising of the sun and the changing of the seasons, from the colors of the leaves in fall and the blooming of the flowers in the spring, you have ordained these things to draw praise, adoration, and joy to your creatures. We see these things, and it should cause us to stand in awe of you. Too often, our Father, we pass by these things as ungrateful and aloof children. We are like infants who, when presented with a gift, look at it and move on to the next thing. We are ungrateful far too often. Please forgive us for failing to pause, worship, and offer words of praise to you. Worse, we frequently have that same reaction to your Word. Too often, we fail to cherish it; therefore, we do not read it, meditate on it, and store it in our hearts. Yet, we are thankful that you do marvelous things and give us your Word by which we are guided, instructed, and led in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake. Please, our God, grant us a greater love for you and your Word,. Please, our Father, teach us through your Word that we would not sin against you. Please renew our minds with your perfect law that restores our souls. Please help us to desire your Word more than all the riches of this life. Please keep us from presumption and secret sin and grant pure, clean hearts that behold you and turn to you humbly seeking your fact and forgiveness. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Mediation: Psalm 19