Other than praying Psalm 23 in church, I did not use the Psalms as a part of my prayers until I was a professor at MidAmerica Nazarene University. While serving there, I was regularly introduced to Spiritual Formation topics. These were designed to help our students develop spiritually, but I was greatly influenced by some of the disciplines. One of those was praying the Psalms. As I have learned to pray various Psalms over my life, I use personal pronouns.
This week I read a request from Mrs. Kavanaugh that people pray Psalm 40 over her family. I had already been praying for this family during my devotional times. However, when I reread Psalm 40, I wrote the prayer I now pray for them. It is based on verses 13 – 16:
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver the Kavanaugh family from those who are attacking them and protect them from the evil that surrounds them. Let those seeking to destroy their lives be ashamed and humiliated. Let those who delight in their hurt be turned back and dishonored, and cause them to be appalled because of their own shame. Let those who seek You and desire Your will rejoice and be glad in You. Let all who love Your salvation exalt You. I pray these things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord Hear Our Prayer.
~ Clipart from Free Christian Clip Art
