Pray a Psalm Every Day

Why You Should Pray a Psalm Every Day

Posted on by Michele Morin

Sunday Scripture

I don’t recall exactly when I realized that I was missing the melody of the psalms in my daily life, but I decided to correct the situation by praying through the psalms. Now, twenty-something days into the practice, I’m grateful, because the practice of praying a psalm every day is opening up my line of communication with God in unexpected ways. In keeping with God’s great generosity, what began as a spiritual practice to become reacquainted with the psalms is blossoming into a routine of blessing that is enhancing my prayer life and my appreciation of God himself!

Pray a Psalm to Express Sorrow

On day twelve, Psalm 12 gave me words for a wordless sorrow that I carried into my prayer time. I had lit a candle [And full disclosure here, I had eaten the remaining dregs of a carton of ice cream in the freezer, because I was THAT sad!] and prayed over my concern, but it wasn’t until I read the day’s psalm that I knew how to express the sorrow:

Save, O Lord, for the godly one is gone;
    for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man.
Everyone utters lies to his neighbor;
    with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.”

Psalm 12:1, 2

Let me first say that my particular sorrow had nothing to do with vanishing faithfulness or flattering lips, but three opening words turned my attention to the source of help and comfort. “Save, O Lord” in front of any need sounds like resolving a chord and feels in my spirit like hearing the rhyme come when I am singing a song.

“Save, O Lord” in front of any need sounds like resolving a chord and feels in my spirit like hearing the rhyme come when I am singing a song.

Pray a Psalm to Express Faith

Sometimes biblical writers lament the slowness of God to act, but Psalm 12 portrays God’s heart toward the discouraged psalmist and then records the writer’s faith-filled response:

 ‘…I will now arise,’ says the Lord;
    ‘I will place him in the safety for which he longs.’
The words of the Lord are pure words,
    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.”

Psalm 12:5, 6

Whatever sadness I may be carrying, God is tender toward it, and God is also the Tend-er of my soul. He administers help to his children, his sheep, according to his own wisdom and ways.

The day I opened to Psalm 12, he knew I was lamenting the sad process of illness and aging in some friends who were very sick and in decline. He knew that I needed the reminder of his power to rescue: “Save, O Lord!”
He knew, too, that my faith would be strengthened by praying back to him the truth about his eternal and ultimately valuable words.

Whatever your need is today, God wants to hear it. Frame your prayer around his all powerful impact on this world and his loving involvement in every detail of your sorrow.

What do you need to say, “Save, O Lord!” about today?

Holding you in the light,

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Whatever sadness I may be carrying, God is tender toward it, and God is also the Tend-er of my soul. He administers help to his children, his sheep, according to his own wisdom and ways.

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and five adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

53 thoughts on “Why You Should Pray a Psalm Every Day”

  5. It is amazing how many emotions and circumstances the psalms address. And they are still relevant to us today, which always amazes me. Turning to the Psalms brings such comfort and peace to me. Praying for the Lord to be with you and those you are praying – may God strengthen you all for the days ahead.

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  7. Back when I first started speaking monthly at my church, I spent a year in the Psalms. I got to Psalm 11 and then changed my focus. I figured then it would take me 14 years to do them all. But from time to time I go back. The pull of them is irresistible! I like the idea of praying one a day.

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  9. I like the idea of praying with the Psalms – I’ve not really taken a closer look at them for a while but they certainly cover the full spectrum of human emotions so I can see how they would work well as a daily prayer. #MischiefandMemories

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  11. Michele, the Psalms are my favorite and I appreciate this peek into how you’ve been using them in your prayers. Just this morning, Psalm 102 was next up in my daily reading and it spoke to some tender spots in my heart as I look ahead a few days to the anniversary of my dad’s death. I’ll be carrying this precious thought with me today: “Whatever sadness I may be carrying, God is tender toward it, and God is also the Tend-er of my soul.”

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  12. Praying through the psalms would be a good practice. I’ve long felt that, instead of dividing our devotional time into separate prayer and reading sections, we should pray as we read, incorporating what we read into prayer. But then I have to remind myself to slow down and do that rather than going on auto-pilot through my reading. “Save O Lord” is good to pray for any need. Only He can truly answer.

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  13. I have prayed through the psalms in the past; you’ve piqued my interest to do that again. It’s amazing how pertinent they remain after all these centuries.

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  14. I’m new to this site. I love what I have read. I have read or heard that we need to pray the scriptures from a couple of resources lately. This is new to me… So I have a question (or maybe a request for one of your blogs). Now that I’m aware of the “why to pray the scriptures” I want to know “How Do You Pray The Scriptures?”

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    1. That is such a thoughtful question, Janet, and I am glad you asked. Praying scripture changes the way we read, slowing us down and forcing us to meditate on the way the words apply to us and our loved ones. It’s also the best argument I know of for memorizing scripture, because the words are right there in your head, available for praying back to God at any time.
      Does this help even a little bit ?

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  17. This is a powerful reminder that I needed to hear today. It’s the second one I’ve had today about prayer. God is always faithful to call us back when we’re not staying as close to Him as we should. Blessings to you for your faithfulness, Michele!

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  18. Michele, Thank you for reminding me of the power and beauty of the Psalms. I have incorporated them in prayer in the past but not for a long time. I so enjoyed reading this post – and what a comforting thought of our tender God as the tend-er of our souls. Thank you so much for sharing this encouraging and inspiring post with the Hearth and Soul Link Party. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.

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  19. This is a beautiful and powerful practice, Michele. I think we all could benefit from a little more faith! Sending some prayers to help you through your time of sadness and concern, my friend. Thanks for sharing and linking with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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  22. Oh no, eating the ends of the ice cream tub isn’t always a great place to be in during times of sadness. I hope your dedication to a daily psalm has been soothing and brought much comfort. Thank you for joining us for #mischiefandmemories

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  23. The only psalm I’m aware of fully is no 23, mainly because it is sung at funerals in the UK.
    Thanks for linking with #pocolo and hope to see you back soon.

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  24. Thank you Michele, I am starting now. We will be featuring your post in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
    Kathleen

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  25. I love that there are SO many psalms for us to choose from. We can always find one that fits where we are in this day. Thanks for the encouragement to pray the Psalms.

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