The Psalms and prayers of David make the most beautiful prayers that we ourselves can use as well. Praying the Psalms was how I first began praying God’s Word. In times of darkness, His Word truly was a lamp unto my path.
Some of us have been reading 1 Psalm a day with the 150 Days in the Psalms plan. {Feel free to jump in with this plan at any time!}
As I was reading and praying through Psalm 37 I was just overcome with all the practical truths in this Psalm that are so applicable for today and for my own heart. So, I thought I would share here.
What I noticed first about this Psalm was that it mentions “Do not fret…” several times! When things are repeated in Scripture we know that they are of great importance and the author is really trying to get his point across.
The word fret can also mean worry. We know that God’s Word is FULL of admonition to NOT WORRY. So, in Psalm 37, we just see this worded in a different way. Do not worry, do not fret, do not be anxious about anything…
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:25-27
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” Psalm 37:7-9
Not only does Psalm 37 encourage us not to fret, but it goes on to tell us what to do instead!
Instead of worrying, Psalm 37 tells us to trust in the Lord, do good, delight yourself in the Lord, commit your way to Him, rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him.
Prayer from Psalm 37
Oh Lord, Your word encourages me not to worry or fret, yet in my humanness and flesh, You know how hard this is for me. Yet, I come to You today asking for Your help. With the power of the Holy Spirit, I know that I can trust You more and worry less.
Help me to trust in You more than I trust myself or anyone else. Increase my faith, Lord. Help me to find my delight in You and You alone. Show me, Lord, convict my heart when I begin to find my delight in other places. You alone are my sufficiency.
Today, I commit my ways to You. I commit to trust You more than I worry. I commit to find my joy and peace in You. I rest in You and Your ways. I know that Your ways are higher and better than mine. Though I may not see what You are doing, I know that You are trustworthy. Amen.
More Praying the Psalms resources
- A Prayer from Psalm 17
- Psalm 34 for the Brokenhearted
- Psalm 46 for When You Need God to be Your Help
- Praying Psalm 51 (and free printable scripture cards)
- 30 Days of Praying the Psalms (free ebook when you subscribe)
This could not have appeared in my inbox on a better day, thank you for this. I have followed your blog for quite some time and although I’ve seen you talking about “praying” the psalms (or other books) I didn’t personally know HOW to “pray” them. Do I just read it and say amen? Seeing your prayer at the bottom today helps me to understand that a little better!
Thank you for this, for the specific Psalm and how relevant it is to my life today.
Thank you just doesn’t say enough, words don’t, thank you is all i can say.
Bee
Thank you Candace! Your blog touches my heart every day. I appreciate you!
Thank you Candace. I appreciate your guide for teaching us how to pray.
May God bless you.
Thank MrsCandace. For these word I been go through so many thing been laid off and three son and in collge right now but god issupplng may need in small way but iam so thankful to god thanks for the prayers versces and please keep my 6children and grand children and my mother in prayer thanks MS. R Young
I am reading the Psalms for the 150 days. And I can not believe how much i have learned, not just by reading them over several time before i journal, but the journaling has been amazing as well. But as for Psalm 37 I chose verse 11 The lowly will posses the land and live in peace and prosperity. The reason I chose this one because the words “The Lowly” if we think about it for a minute, who were the people God and Jesus chose to run or bring to run the nation. They brought the unusual, the lowest, the ones we would scratch our heads and ask why. And yet each one of them have become remarkable. Sarah at 98 has a baby, Mary a virgin had a baby who is our Jesus, Hagar a servant who had Ishmael, David a shepherd, Saul who became Paul. The Lowly for me is incredible.
“I know that I can trust You more and worry less”….story of my life. Thank you for your timely and much needed food of inspiration.
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