Daily Prayer for January 6, 2025: Psalm 4

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

    You have given me relief when I was in distress.

    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?

    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;

    the Lord hears when I call to him.

Be angry, and do not sin;

    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

Offer right sacrifices,

    and put your trust in the Lord.

There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?

    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”

You have put more joy in my heart

    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

(Psalm 4:1-8, ESV)

Prayer: Our great and glorious god of righteousness, we bow down and honor you today because you are a God who does not delight in the actions of the wicked. We give you thanks that though we, too, were aliens and strangers to the promise of hope, you saved us, not treating us as our sins deserve. Though we are your children, we know that there are times when, in our distress, we fret and worry instead of pleading with you for grace and peace. Please forgive us, Father. We know that you are working all things for our good and have never promised that we would be spared from evil people and challenging life circumstances. We know that we live in a sin-wrecked world, and though you saved us, you are using those hardships to conform us to the image of your beloved Son. Father, please grant to us peace in the face of hard times. Please grant to us joy from within as we put our hope and trust in you. We thank you that you will help us and cause us to trust you because you have promised your Spirit to us. Please, Lord, give us more of Him so we can trust you as you have told us. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 4