Praying the Word

By K.R. Craig
I tried to read through Psalm 143 this morning, but I found my mind wandering.

To counteract the wandering, I switched to praying the word, instead of simply reading the word.

I read each verse out loud — sometimes just a phrase or two, sometimes a whole verse — and then paused and added other words of prayer.

It went something like this:

^8a Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust:

Lord, I love that this verse asks You to make me, force me, or cause me to hear Your loving-kindness. I admit there are some mornings when I wouldn’t hear it on my own. Please do this for me: when I can’t feel Your mercy, please make me to feel it. I trust in You.

^8b cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Lord, part of me says that I should always know how to live right, act right and do right, but my actions don’t always bear that out. There’s a world of difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge! Lord, please make me to know Your way; make all of me to know it.

And also, Lord, show me the direction You have for me. Am I to remain where I am, or do you have another assignment?

⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.

I wish I were strong enough to deliver myself, but I’m grateful that Your word shows me I need a deliverer. I need You to deliver me from these things that try to destroy me, from problems, from debt, from lethargy. Please help me, Lord.

^10a Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good;

Lord, I just prayed, “cause me to know”; now I’m praying “teach me to do.” Help my actions to match my knowledge.

^10b lead me into the land of uprightness.

Lord, help me stay on the right path. Lead me, O Lord, every day, every hour, all the way.

^11a Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake:

Quicken me; bring me back to life, O Lord. At times when I feel spiritually dead, light a spark within me. When I feel physically dead, rebuke the sickness and restore me to vitality. Don’t do it because I’m something great, but do it for the sake of Your name.

^11b for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.

Lord, please deliver me from trouble — both the trouble I make for myself, and the trouble that others send my way. Do it for the sake of your own righteousness.