It can be humbling to discover just how desperately needy we all are.
Our basic needs for safety and security, love and affection, power and control are real.
We have hidden and not so hidden strategies to get these needs met. And we likely have overt and covert strategies in place helping us cope with the vulnerability and shame these needs arouse in us.
May we find grace, day by day, to present our whole selves before God in prayer
– to be seen, known, accepted, and loved just as we are – in our needy state.
We might notice the way the Spirit, the Counselor, the Advocate, or our friend Jesus attends to us here. We might discover our souls strengthened in the process and our whole heart naturally overflowing with praise to the One who sees us.
Psalm 138 (The Voice)
A song of David.
To You, Lord, I give my whole heart, a heart filled with praise, for I am grateful;
before the gods, my heart sings praises to You and You alone.
I bow before You, looking to Your holy temple,
and praise Your name, for Your unfailing love and Your truth;
for You have placed Your name and Your word over all things and all times.
On the day I needed You, I called, and You responded
and infused my soul with strength.
May all the kings of the earth praise You, O Eternal One,
because they have heard the words You have spoken.
They will marvel at the Eternal’s ways, and they will sing,
for great is the glory of the Eternal.
Although He is greatest of all, He is attentive to the needy
and keeps His distance from the proud and pompous.
Whenever I walk into trouble,
You are there to bring me out.
You hold out Your hand
to protect me against the wrath of my enemies,
and hold me safely in Your right hand.
The Eternal will finish what He started in me.
Your faithful love, O Eternal One, lasts forever;
do not give up on what Your hands have made.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly savor this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 138 (The Message)
1-3 Thank you! Everything in me says “Thank you!”
Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
I kneel in worship facing your holy temple
and say it again: “Thank you!”
Thank you for your love,
thank you for your faithfulness;
Most holy is your name,
most holy is your Word.
The moment I called out, you stepped in;
you made my life large with strength.
4-6 When they hear what you have to say, GOD,
all earth’s kings will say “Thank you.”
They’ll sing of what you’ve done:
“How great the glory of GOD!”
And here’s why: GOD, high above, sees far below;
no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.
7-8 When I walk into the thick of trouble,
keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
strike my foes,
With your other hand
save me.
Finish what you started in me, GOD.
Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.