Pastoral Prayer from Psalm 19

Pastoral Prayer from

Psalm 19 HCSB

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4 Their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5 It is like a groom coming from the bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course. 6 It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10 They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb. 11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them. 12 Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

O Father,

As we read, the heavens declare Your incomprehensible glory. It’s incredible to think of that “Day after Day” they have poured out their speech to Your glory. Since the day of Creation, every day, every night, for 6,000 years, the sun has moved at Your command. The stars in their expanse have displayed throughout the universe Your incomprehensible power. We are in Awe!

And even more amazing than that is the revelation of Yourself in Your Word — Your Law, Your testimony, Your precepts, commandments, and judgment. They are perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, holy, and true. Your word converts the soul, makes us wise, enlightens us, brings us joy, produces righteousness in us. We therefore desire Your Word more than gold. We delight in Your Word because it is Truth.

And so this morning we praise You. We pour out our love to You in worship. We trust in Your promises, rejoice in Your faithfulness, glory in Your goodness, hope in Your Word, rest in Your grace, and believe in Your Son.

We yield to You as our King and our Redeeming Lord. We ask that Your will be done in us. Shower us with Your mercy and grace as You always do.

We come to worship You, our Father, relying on Your forgiveness and power that we might enter Your presence and be welcomed as true worshipers.

We come in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.