This past month, I’ve adopted a new challenge in my morning prayer life. Let’s face it, mornings are hard, and it’s not always easy to consistently pray when you’re running late for work. Am I right?
So, with some guidance of a priest, I decided to assign a different psalm every month for me to pray every day. Some days I have more time for prayer than others, but this is something small and tangible that I can do each morning (especially on the days when I don’t have the time to devote as much time to prayer as I would like). It takes 5 minutes of your day and I’ve already noticed a difference. It’s amazing to me how I can read the same scripture each day and get something new from it pretty much each time.
The Psalm for the month of May is Psalm 51. I’d love for you to pray along with me!
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous, in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.”
Also, just to be really fun, I’d like to include a SONG of the month in addition to a PSALM of the month. I know, so cute. In honor of the Josh Garrels album dropping last month, here’s my favorite Josh Garrels song. If you haven't heard of Josh Garrels, the dude's got some serious soul. Check it:
You see!!! It’s perfect for rolling the windows down and singing at the top of your lungs. And it gives me serious goose bumps. Optional challenge: have a competition with your significant other to see who can get the most words correct each time you sing it in the car (I’m totally winning).