Daily Prayer for January 8, 2025: Psalm 5

Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    consider my groaning.
Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

For there is no truth in their mouth;
    their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
    they flatter with their tongue.
Make them bear their guilt, O God;
    let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
    for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
    let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
    you cover him with favor as with a shield.
(Psalm 5:1-12, ESV)

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, you are a God who loves his church, those redeemed by your beloved Son. Because of his work as our great High Priest, we can boldly cry out to you in the morning for the various needs we will face this day and have confidence that you hear us when we pray. We praise you for your willingness to condescend to poor creatures of dust. We thank you for your mercy in hearing us when we pray and for working all things according to the counsel of your will. Therefore, as we come to you, we first acknowledge that you are God, and there is no other. We pray that your will will be done today and that your people will obey you. As we come to you, we know that we are pilgrims in this world depending on your protection, knowing that you cover us with a shield day and night. We confess that we often forget that you are working for our good every moment of every day. We confess that we often forget to watch for your answers to our prayers as we move through our day. Please forgive us for our lack of faith and trust. Please help us to weather the storms of this life, turning to you in the middle of them, trusting your divine will to accomplish your purposes. We further pray that you will use your worship to help us as we journey from this world to the world to come. We thank you for providing the Lord's Day as a day of rest from the world, the flesh, and the devil. We pray that you will help us use it as you have commanded and delight in it, knowing that you provide it for our good and help. We also pray for your hand of protection against evil people. Father, it is often hard to endure. We do not enjoy these discomforts and sorrows. We frequently languish under the labors of those who hate us. Sadly, we sometimes struggle under the failures of your people to love and extend grace. Please convict those who hate you and bring them to their end. Please help us to trust you throughout and not waver and grow weary. These things we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 5