Praying with the Psalmist, David

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the skies. You have loved us not because we are lovely, but to make us lovely. May we love you in return.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, and your justice is like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. Amidst troubles, calamities and the current Coronavirus pandemic, we see your kindness and graciousness towards mankind, and we are full of gratitude to you for those you have placed over us in authority and government, tirelessly bringing counsel and care for the preservation and sustenance of lives; for numerous health care workers who risk their lives on behalf of the weak, the sick and the vulnerable; for scientists, economists and other experts who are offering their skills despite mitigating circumstances; for those who are offering help in one form or another; for our pastors and spiritual leaders who continue to labour over us and seek out ways to encourage us; for healing for those who have recovered; for technologies that have come quite handy these days; for warmer and drier weather; and many more of your blessings that we don’t even know of, talk less of recounting them. Indeed, we can testify to your help and kindness, and we thank you.

Father, we don’t want to ignore areas in our world that have been perennially plagued by diseases, civil unrest and scarcity – please bring lasting peace and provision to such areas. We rest in you because we know that you care about every soul. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! We take refuge in the shadow of your wings, you have been our dwelling place through all generations.

We long for a foretaste of that heavenly banquet that you have promised us. Father, we do not want a heaven that is devoid of Christ, but we beg you for immeasurable abundance in Christ. May we drink from the river of your delights, the river whose streams make glad the city of God. Please give us from that fountain to drink and bring healing in its wings, as we plead for you to mercifully stay the hand of this virus. As we physically wash and sanitise our hands, please wash our hearts with hyssop so we are truly made clean.

Father, it is in your light that we see light. Please don’t let our light become darkness; instead cause the brilliance of your holiness to shine upon our hearts that we may no longer grope in darkness, but that our paths may shine brighter and brighter till the full light of day.

Lord Jesus, please open the eyes of our hearts that we may know you better and experience the power of your resurrection. Please fill us with the knowledge of your will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Holy Spirit gives, so we may live lives that are worthy of Jesus and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work.

Amen.

*Inspired by the Psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 36.