Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Sometimes it’s hard for me to know how to pray, especially when I’m trying to pray according to God’s will, not my own, and when I’m trying to go beyond vague or superficial prayers. I have been reminded lately that God’s Word lights the way for prayer. The psalms in particular are a rich source of material for prayer. Of course, a psalm can be used in its entirety, verbatim, as a prayer. Another way to use the psalms in prayer is to pull out a verse, a phrase, an idea from a psalm and shape it into your own prayer.
 
In the weeks since my grandson A.J.’s surgery was scheduled, I have been praying for the spiritual preparation of his parents, Jamie and Keith. During this time, I was reading psalms as part of my 2-year Bible reading schedule and, in nearly every one, I discovered verses that seemed to apply  to Jamie and Keith’s circumstances. Writing helps me slow down and focus, so I wrote out these verses and the prayers I molded from them. For example:
 
Psalm 94:19,22: “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul. … The LORD has become my fortress.” 
Lord, this is an anxious time for J & K but give them joy every day too. Be their fortress against fear.
 
Psalm 102:2: “Turn Your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.” 
Father, when J & K call out to You, may they feel Your strong presence immediately.  
 
Psalm 103:2:  “Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” 
Remind J & K by Your Holy Spirit of all the blessings You have given them so that they can be thankful, even in a trial, and remember that you are a good God.
 
Turn to the psalms this week to help you pray through your own, or someone else’s, tough circumstances. As you pray for others, you might want to let them know what verses from the psalms you are praying for them as an encouragement.
 
Here are more suggestions for prayer this week:
 
1.  Join the Gilbert and Dee families in thanking God for A.J.’s successful surgery last Friday to repair his congenital heart defects. His breathing tube came out on Saturday, and he is able to drink small amounts of milk from a bottle. Please continue to pray for him as he heals, especially for reduction of the fluid around his lungs and protection from infection. He is expected to remain at CHOC through the week.
 
2.  Please pray for three women in the Chinese congregation who are undergoing treatment for cancer. Demi Gao has lung cancer that has spread. She has already had radiosurgery to remove a small tumor from her brain and is now having radiosurgery to remove a larger tumor in her lung. Wendy Chen is on her third round of chemotherapy for stomach cancer. Anna Song is undergoing radiation and chemo therapy, also for stomach cancer. May the Lord strengthen them and fill them with encouragement and faith.
 
3.  Next Sunday is the sendoff celebration for Paul and Diane Bautts. Thank the Lord for them as people and as laborers in His kingdom. Ask His abundant blessing on them in their new home and church.
 
4.  Dr. Kevin Leman, Christian parenting expert, emphasizes the important role of a dad in his daughter’s life. He says that Dad is the most important representative of the male species to her and, as such, deeply influences her choices, her character, and her future marriage. The “Love You to the Moon and Back” dance for fathers and daughters next Saturday is intended to strengthen this crucial relationship. Ask the Lord to use that evening to do His work.
 
5.  I trust You, faithful Father, to empower me to do what You have called me to do.
 
6.  We human beings are impressed with our scientific knowledge and technology, but we cannot make it rain or stop the rain. The Lord has demonstrated His sovereignty over His creation by our years-long drought and then the abundance of rain these past few months. Praise Him for His sovereignty and thank Him for sending rain to break the drought.
 
In Christ,
Carol Gilbert
Calvary Community Church of Brea