Daily Prayer for November 18, 2024: Psalm 5

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[a] 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.

Prayer: Grant, almighty God, a listening ear to your redeemed people as we pour out our hearts to you this day for those things we need from you. We plead with you to hear us as we cry out to you, the alone sovereign of heaven and earth, expressing our need and dependence on you for all things affecting us in this life and what is to come. We thank you, our God, that you hear us when we pray, and we know that our prayers do not depend on the eloquence of our words but on the disposition of our hearts and the labor of the Mediator, the Lord Jesus. Please, Father, teach us to pray as we should and help us to pray for things that are agreeable to your will. Forgive us for our prayerlessness, and please remember your promise to give us your Spirit, who intercedes for us by groaning too deep for words.

We thank you that you are a holy and good God who does all things well and always watches over your children. We thank you for calling us to worship you because of your love for us. We ask that you give us hearts of praise and thanksgiving today as we consider the works of your hands and your great promises to us. Lead us, our Father, in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake, and do not allow our enemies to triumph over us. Please help us to rejoice in your loving kindness, knowing that you will support and defend us against the efforts of evil people and the Evil One. Please cover us with a shield and help us as we journey to the place of promise, the new heavens, and the new earth.

We plead with you for grace today. We ask that you give us willing minds and hearts to love and serve you and walk according to your ways. Please grant us what we need and bless us with your favor due to the work of your beloved Son. We pray these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Scripture Meditation: Psalm 5