DAY 5
01/17/2025
VERSES TO READ:
- Hebrews 13:15
- Psalm 100:4
- Psalm 95:1-2
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
- What are things in my life that I can give gratitude to God for today?
- What other passages of scripture could I use to pray through during this fast?
PRAYER TO PRAY:
Practice praying scripture by praying Psalm 145 (NIV):
I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all he has made. All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy namefor ever and ever.
Over this past year I have realized more than ever that prayer is such a gift from God. It is an intimate conversation with the Creator of the universe. It’s where we can bring our joys, burdens, needs, and our truest selves. One of the ways I talk to God is to pray scripture. God’s word is always true, so when we pray these words back to Him we know we are speaking what is good and right. I love to pray Psalm 145 because the Psalmist invites us to celebrate God’s greatness (verse 3), proclaim His faithfulness (verse 13), and be reminded of His nearness to us (verse 18).
In prayer, it is wonderful to begin with praise to God. Simply tell Him all that He is. This Psalm is perfect for that. It gives us language that we may not already have. It reminds us that no matter what season we find ourselves in, whether in feast or famine, good or bad, mountain top or valley low, the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He stays constant though we may waver. When we begin with that posture of praise it allows us to realize who is really in charge and calling the shots. It invites us to surrender and can turn our focus to gratitude and trust.
Today, I want to challenge you for a moment, whenever or wherever you are reading this, to stop and simply pray. I want to invite you to pray Psalm 145 to the Lord. As you pray today, consider the incredible privilege it is to speak with a God who is near and who listens with an open heart. Let this part of your day be filled with gratitude to the Lord. Let this set the stage for the rest of your day.
