Daily Prayer for January 9, 2025: Psalm 6

O Lord, rebuke me not in your
        anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath.
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am
        languishing;
    heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
My soul also is greatly troubled.
    But you, O Lord —how long?

Turn, O Lord, deliver my life;
    save me for the sake of your
        steadfast love.
For in death there is no
        remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who will give you praise?

I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with
        tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
My eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

Depart from me, all you workers of
        evil,
    for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
The Lord has heard my plea;
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
All my enemies shall be ashamed and
        greatly troubled;
    they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
(Psalm 6:1-10, ESV)

Prayer: Our God in heaven: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we know that you made us out of the dust of the ground, and due to sin, it is that dust that we return at the end of our days. Throughout our lives, we will face calamities of various kinds and suffer sickness, poor health, chronic pain, disease, and eventually death. Father, we lament these realities and know that even your redeemed people suffer these things and are not spared them. We acknowledge that we sometimes suffer in the body because of our sins and unwillingness to repent, turning away from them. We know you discipline us in these ways because of your great love for us. If there is some wicked way in us, Lord, please give us your Spirit so we can turn and flee them. If we suffer because of known sin, please help us repent and turn to you. We lament the struggle that comes when we hurt in the body. We know that it affects our souls. We know that these times of physical suffering cause us to struggle to love you and others. Please forgive, and please heal. Please be gracious to us, Lord, and spare us from ourselves. We pray that you will spare us from evil people who mock us during struggle. We pray that you will hear us as we cry out to you and accept our prayers for Christ's sake. Please grant us hearts desirous to seek you all of our days, and whether we suffer physically or not, please do not forget your promises to us. These things we pray through Christ, your beloved Son. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 6