Praying Through: Psalm 14

The Psalm

Psalm 14 (CSB)
For the choir director. Of David.

¹ The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” They are corrupt; they do vile deeds. There is no one who does good.

² The LORD looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise, one who seeks God.

³ All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.

⁴ Will evildoers never understand? They consume my people as they consume bread; they do not call on the LORD.

⁵ Then they will be filled with dread, for God is with those who are righteous.

⁶ You sinners frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the LORD is his refuge.

⁷ Oh, that Israel’s deliverance would come from Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.

The Prayer

I would say to you, “I have not forgotten you.” But what about those times I succumb to the wickedness of my heart, to the depravity of the world, or to the lies of Satan? What about those times?

What about those times when I am devoid of strength and I do not turn to the one who has my infinite strength?

What about those times when I rely on my rational thought process, the very good gift that you have given me, instead being depended and led by that very Giver, the Spirit of God, by which I am declared to be your beloved son?

What if I want to do good things that seem to glorify you but in deepest heart, only meagerly fulfill my desire for worship when it is you, O Lord, who has set eternity into my heart so that I would be left desolated when I tried to fulfill that hole with anything else other than the Infinite God?

But you know me. You have known me before you created time. You have known me and in your knowledge of all my pain, my heartaches, my troubles, my sin, my depravity, my iniquities, you loved me. You loved me with all of your infinite being. You loved me and you created me. You take joy in me, you watch over me, and you sing over me. One day, you will come and get me so I can be with you for all of eternity.

And you have sent your Son to live when I could not live, to die when I should have died, to be buried when my sins would have soon crushed me, and to be raised to life because I have none.

And you have given me your Spirit to give me strength because I am so mortal; to give me hope when there is none in this life that is hopeful; to be conformed to look like your Son so that you can logically, reasonably, and justly declare me to be your own; and to give me not just life but the fullness of life.

You have spoken to me. You called out to me. You have said these things and so many more things so that my joy may be full,

For your great glory forevermore.

God, thank you. Thank you for loving me.

I love you.

In your Son’s awesome name, I pray this. Amen.