Listen and Pray through Psalm 25
Click the button below to listen and pray through this passage. This practice will take about 10 minutes.
Prepare
As we prepare to immerse ourselves in Scripture today, take a few moments to prepare your heart to receive from the Holy Spirit. Through humility, stillness, and trust, we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing God to transform us from within. Take a few deep breaths as you settle your mind, heart, and intention on God’s presence. As you inhale, invite God’s peace, power and love to fill your soul. As you exhale, release any fear, doubt, or tension you may have been carrying.
Today, we’ll be spending our time in Psalm 25 which is a fairly long chapter. We’ll read it through in it’s entirety first and then ponder and reflect on shorter passages. As you read, pay attention to any words or phrases that stand out to you or feel personal to you today. If you have a journal nearby, write down some of these thoughts so you can return to them later for further reflection.
Read
Psalm 25
O Lord, I give my life to you.
2 I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
8 The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
11 For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
12 Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
13 They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
15 My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
16 Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
17 My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
18 Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
19 See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
21 May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.
22 O God, ransom Israel
from all its troubles.
Listen & Reflect
Spend a few moments letting any insights or reflections settle in. Give God some room to speak to you as well.
Reread verses 4-5. Is there an area of your life where you need guidance? Make these few verses your prayer today as we read them again.
Reread verse 8-10. As we’ve said before, Lent is about realignment. It’s a time to evaluate if the path you’ve been walking, is the path that leads to living fully alive in Jesus, or if you’ve inadvertently taken a wrong turn. Is there any area where you’ve gone astray? Either by intentionally choosing your own way or perhaps settling for an easier path?
Verse 10 says the Lord leads the humble with unfailing love and faithfulness. Take a few moments for the Lord to meet you where you’re at with grace, mercy and unfailing love. Come to him in humility and allow him to point you to the proper path.
Reread verses 15-17. Have you ever felt like this before? Do you feel this way now? Whether it’s true or simply perceived, we have all experienced seasons of feeling alone and distressed. When it seems like one thing after another hits us from all sides and we can’t lift our head above water before the next wave hits.
When we feel like this, there’s always the temptation to blame God and withdraw from his presence. However, these seasons are an invitation to actually draw nearer to Him and to bring our frustrations, fears, and laments.
Spend a few moments (or longer if you need it) crying out to God for mercy and rescue. Take heart in the truth that our God is mighty to save.
Pray
Father God,
I come to You in trust, knowing that You are my refuge and strength. Teach me Your ways, Lord, and guide me in Your truth. Help me to walk humbly in the path You have laid before me.
Lord, I bring before You my failures, regrets, and weaknesses. Thank You for Your mercy that covers me and Your love that never fails. Cleanse me from the inside out and fill me with the peace that comes from resting in Your faithfulness.
I trust in You, Lord. Even when I cannot see the way, I know You are leading me. Let my heart find hope and strength in Your promises today.
Amen.