Prayer To Help Us Find Perspective

 Finding Perspective

I usually prepare the material for more than one of these blogs at a time.  This morning I've reflected on the major news events of these days and let them guide me to encouraging and uplifting thoughts from God's Word.  The videos from the past 2 days are the result of those thoughts and prayers. 

But then I get a bit tired, I think, of looking at life through the lens of the news of the day and I long to turn the camera around and begin with God's word and look at life through God's wider vision. 

The times we live in are just a small slice of the entirety of our life and when we view even the longest of our lives, they are hardly a blip on the screen of eternity. And so it just makes sense to come to the God who sees all of time in one glance and is able to hold it all steady and who invites us to come to Him for guidance and strength so we can work with His plans rather than getting in the road. 

In humility we need to admit that we know way too little to make wise choices without the wisdom of God.  It's not a weakness but a strength to place ourselves safely inside what is true.  We've all seen the destruction that's come as people in various places around the world have chosen to not take proper precautions around an invisible virus.  They just don't know anything about something invisible until it's too late to stop the disease.  So it is with us in our walk with God in life in our time.  Too many invisible and destructive forces are at work in us and around us and we are desperately in need of all that God can give us and show us today.

We've prayed more than once with words recorded in Psalm 119 but as they came up in my cycle of readings today and have lifted my own heart, I thought we would pray them here, trusting that God's timeless truth will steady and encourage all of us.

With the writer of this Psalm, God, we pray:

I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees.

I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.

In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.

Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions.

But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true.

I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever.

Psalm 119:145-152

O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.

Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.

Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.

Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.

Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.

Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119:169-176

I don’t know about you but different phrases or sentences of these verses bring me peace and a sense of settledness.  I encourage you to find a Bible nearby and just slowly let your heart and mind reflect on these words of trust and comfort, protection and peace. The words are also duplicated in the description below this video so you can just look there if that’s more convenient.  As Christians we believe that God’s word is alive and active and so as we speak these words or think about these words they really do bring life to our souls and give us what we need for our journey today. 

May God bless you today and keep you.  May God make His face shine upon You today and be gracious to You.  May God lift up His countenance upon You and give You peace.