READING:
One-year plan: Psalms 26-31, Romans 4:9-5:11
Two-year plan: Ruth 1-2, Luke 15:1-10
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One of my roles at Southeastern Seminary is to help lead the campus in prayer initiatives. As I think about a new academic year beginning in a few days, I’m captured today by the psalmist’s commitment to cry out to God. Listen with me to his words in today’s Old Testament reading:
- “I have asked one thing from the Lord” (Psa 27:4)
- “Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answer me . . . Lord, I will seek your face” (Psa 27:7-8)
- “Lord, I call to you; my rock, do not be deaf to me” (Psa 28:1)
- “Listen to the sound of my pleading when I cry to you for help” (Psa 28:2)
- “Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleading” (Psa 28:6)
- “Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me” (Psa 30:2)
- “Lord, I called to you; I sought favor from my Lord” (Psa 30:8)
- “Lord, listen and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper” (Psa 30:10)
- “Listen closely to me” (Psa 31:2)
- “Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you” (Psa 31:17)
- “But you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to you for help” (Psa 31:22)
It seems clear that the psalmist cried out to God whatever the situation was. Prayer was not simply a discipline to develop; it was his DNA to live out. No matter how much I believe in prayer, I still have so much to learn. . . . .
PERSONAL REFLECTION: How is your prayer life today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, thank You for welcoming Your children crying out to You.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Psalms 32-35, Romans 5:12-6:23
Two-year plan: Ruth 3-4, Luke 15:11-32