Daily Devotion for November 25, 2009
Prayers
Scripture
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Prayer for the Morning
Oh Lord, most heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought me to the beginning of this day; I give you thanks for my creation, preservation, and all the blessings of my life. Grant that this day I fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all my doings, being governed by your will, may be righteous in your sight. Through Christ our Lord, I pray.
Prayer for Grace and Strength
Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Community of Prayer
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be among the community of all who pray in the name of Christ this morning, and remain among us always.
Think of the day ahead in terms of God with you, and visualize health, strength, guidance, purity, calm confidence, and victory as the gifts of His presence.
Psalm 13
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
How long will I have to take counsel in my own soul, having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be honored over me?
Consider and answer me, O Lord my God: Lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;
Lest my enemy say, I have prevailed against him; Lest my adversaries rejoice at my tears.
I have trusted in your loving kindness; My heart will rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing unto Jehovah, Because he has regarded me with generosity.
Comment on the Scripture
This is one of the most clearly "musical" psalms. It very much in the style of David, with two clearly divided phrases in each line, which are related in some way: the second might restate or amplify the first (as in line one), or might have a causal relationship (as in the last line).
Psalm 13 is divided in two distinct parts. The first four lines bewail God's absence in the singer's life, and the terrible consequences. The final two lines rejoice in God's gifts and reaffirm the poet's devotion and thanks. Thus the feeling expressed is a movement from desperation to hope and thanks, something that many of us have experienced in our prayer.
