Isaiah 62:6-7 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Isaiah 62.

Meditate on verses 6-7.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen;

all day and all night they will never keep silent. 

You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves,

and give Him no rest until He establishes

and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Isaiah 62 is a chapter for prayers warriors.  It is God’s will for people to be established, fixed aright, settled, stable, and steadfast in Him.  God wants faithful watchmen who will remind Him of that truth day and night.  God declared in Ezekiel 22:30-31, “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it, but I found no one.  Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads.”

Do your prayers make a difference in the lives of those you love?  God says they do.  In fact He wants you to constantly remind Him about those you want Him to establish, and He is not pleased when no one is willing to be that watchman for others. Do not grow weary and lose heart.  It is God’s will for your family to be established in Him.  It is God’s will for you to pray it into reality.

Pray Isaiah 62:6-7 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman.

“Lord, You have appointed me

a watchman on the wall of _____________.

All day and all night I will not keep silent.

I will remind You, LORD,

and I will take no rest for myself,

and I will give You no rest

until You establish and make them a praise in the Earth.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 81 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 81.

Meditate on verse 1.

Sing for joy to God our strength;

 shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.

The LORD recalled what He did for Israel in Psalm 81:

            *“I relieved his shoulder of the burden” (v. 6).

            *”You called in trouble, and I rescued you” (v.7).

            *”I answered you in the hiding place of thunder” (v. 7).

The LORD goes on to admonish Israel for not listening to and obeying Him.  He said that those who hate the LORD pretend to obey Him. If they would walk in His ways, He “would quickly subdue their enemies” (Psalm 81:11-15).

On this last day of 2014, what does the LORD say He did for you this year?  Does He have a word of admonishment for you to stop having a stubborn heart and listen to Him? 

Recall God’s faithfulness this past year.  Commit to obey Him with your whole heart and to walk in His ways this coming year as you listen to Him.

Pray Psalm 81:11-16 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ________ and I are Your people.

Help us listen to and obey You.

Do not let us have a stubborn heart

 and walk in our own devices.

Help us listen to You and walk in Your ways!

Please quickly subdue our enemies,

and turn Your hand against our adversaries.

LORD, we love You; do not let us pretend to obey You.

We do not want our time of punishment to be forever.

Please feed us with the finest of the wheat,

 and satisfy us with honey from the rock.

In Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 80 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 80.

Meditate on verses 3, 7, and 19.

O God, restore us

and cause Your face to shine upon us,

and we will be saved.

O God of hosts, restore us

 and cause Your face to shine upon us,

and we will be saved.

O LORD God of hosts, restore us;

 cause Your face to shine upon us,

and we will be saved.

Asaph’s prayer request sounds the same in three of the verses in Psalm 80, but each time he makes the request he adds to the name of God; “O God, O God of hosts, O LORD God of hosts…” (vs. 3, 7, 19).  You can hear the urgency as he calls on the LORD to save Israel. 

Instead of Israel being fed with manna and water from the rock, God was feeding the people with the bread of tears and making them drink tears in large measure (Psalm 80:5).   Asaph asked God how long He would be angry with the prayer of His people (Psalm 80:4).

Are you or someone you love in a season of God’s discipline and reproof?  Remember that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:6).  Call on the name of the LORD in repentance and trust.

Pray Psalm 80:17-19 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, let Your hand be upon ________ and me.

 Make us people of Your right hand

 and people whom You have made strong for Yourself.

  Do not let us turn back from You;

revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 

O LORD God of hosts, restore us;

 cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 79 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 79.

Meditate on verse 9.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name;

and deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.

Jerusalem was in ruins and the temple defiled (Psalm 79:1).  The dead were not being buried properly but were being eaten by the birds (Psalm 79:2).  Asaph called on God to pour out His wrath on the godless nations that did those atrocities (Psalm 79:6-7).  It is good to know you can be so honest with the LORD.

But notice the sudden change in Asaph’s prayer request.  In the middle of his prayer, Asaph did a sin check.  Was the LORD allowing such devastation to punish the people for their sins?  Asaph’s prayer changed from “Get them, God!” to “O LORD, forgive us.” 

Ask God to check you for unconfessed sins then pray the prayer of confession in Psalm 79:8-9 and 13 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not remember the iniquities of ________ and me against us.

Let Your compassion come quickly to meet us,

 for we are brought very low.

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name.

Deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.

We are Your people and the sheep of Your pasture.

We will give thanks to You forever;

to all generations we will tell of Your praise.

For the glory of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 78 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 78.

Meditate on verse 4.

We will not conceal them from their children,

 but tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD,

and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.

Thankfully, Asaph did not conceal the wondrous works of the LORD.  His descriptions give additional insight into the miracles God performed for Israel. For example, this is how Moses recorded God bringing water from the rock:

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb,

and you shall strike the rock,

and water will come out of it that the people may drink.

—Exodus 17:6

Asaph recorded the story this way.  Observe the comparisons:

He split the rocks in the wilderness

 and gave them abundant drink like the ocean depths. 

He brought forth streams also from the rock

and caused waters to run down like rivers.

— Psalm 78:15-16

God gave His people abundant provision, “yet they still continued to sin against Him, to rebel against the Most High” (Psalm 78:17).

As the waters gushed out and the streams overflowed, the people questioned God’s ability to give them bread and meat (Psalm 78:20).  Their behavior was ungratefully rude towards the LORD.

Now these things happened to them as an example,

 and they were written for our instruction…

—1 Corinthians 10:11

Are you quick to wag your head at the Israelites’ behavior even as you are whining and complaining in the midst of the LORD’s gushing blessings in your life?  The LORD heard the complaints of Israel and was full of wrath and anger against them because they did not believe in God and trust in His salvation (Psalm 78:21-22).  Take heed not to repeat their sinful behavior.

Pray Psalm 78:4-8 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, do not let _______ and me conceal these truths from our children. 

Let us tell the generation to come Your praises,

Your strength, and the wondrous works You have done. 

Let us teach Your commandments to our children,

 so the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born,

 that they may arise and tell them to their children.

 Let us put our confidence in You, God,

 and not forget Your works, but keep Your commandments.

  Do not let us be a stubborn and rebellious generation.

 Make us a generation that prepares its heart

 and whose spirit is faithful to You, God.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 77 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 77.

Meditate on verses 9 and 11.

Has God forgotten to be gracious,

or has He in anger withdrawn His compassion?

I shall remember the deeds of the LORD;

 surely I will remember Your wonders of old.

Asaph was distressed and disturbed when he wrote Psalm 77.  He was so troubled he could not sleep, and his soul refused to be comforted (vs. 2, 4).  He wondered if the LORD’s lovingkindness had ceased and if His promises had come to an end (v. 8).

As Asaph’s grieving eyelids refused to close at night, he decided to remember the deeds of the LORD (Psalm 77:4, 11).  

1.     Your way, O God, is holy (v. 13).

2.     You are God who works wonders (v. 14).

3.     You have made known Your strength among the peoples (v. 14).

4.     You have by Your power redeemed Your people (v. 15).

There are times when it seems that God in His anger has withdrawn His compassion and forgotten to be gracious.  If you are experiencing one of those times, remember God’s faithfulness towards you and those you love.  Recall that His paths are in the mighty waters; You may not be able to see His footprints but know that they are there (Psalm 77:19).

Pray Psalm 77:1 and 19-20 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“________ and my voices rise to You, God,

and we will cry aloud!

Our voices rise to You, God;

please hear us!

Keep us on Your path in these mighty waters;

 let us see and know Your footprints.

Lead us like Your flock.

By Your hand, Jesus~”

Psalm 76 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 76.

Meditate on verses 8 and 9.

You caused judgment to be heard from heaven;

the earth feared and was still when God arose to judgment

 to save all the humble of the earth.

Carefully observe God in Psalm 76. 

            *He is known and His name is great in Israel (v.1).

            *He is resplendent and majestic (v.4).

            *He is to be feared (v.7).

            *He judges to save all the humble of the earth (v.9).

These are important truths to remember and apply to your life. 

Whom do you fear?  Many people are afraid of any and everything except Almighty God.  As you read God’s Word, you will discover that you are to fear nothing and no one except the LORD; Satan wants you to do the opposite.  Make one of your gifts to Christ be fear of Him and nothing else.  That change of mindset will change your life for good.

Another truth to remember is God judges with the purpose of saving the humble.  Will you be saved, or does your pride keep you from Jesus and make you the object of God’s judgment and wrath?  “God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 5:6).   Come to the LORD in humility, and let Him change your life for eternity.

Pray Psalm 76:11 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD my God, _________ and I make these vows to you.

(Tell God the specific vows you are making.)

 Help us fulfill them.

We bring You these gifts.

(Tell God the specific gifts you are bringing.)

 You are to be feared.

In Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 75 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 75.

Meditate on verse 1.

We give thanks to You, O God,

we give thanks,

 for Your name is near;

 men declare Your wondrous works.

Therefore the LORD Himself will give you a sign:

Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son,

and she will call His name Immanuel,

 which translated means, “God with us.”

—Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

Not only is the name of the LORD near to you; the LORD Himself is actually with you if you are in Christ Jesus.  Hear what He says to you in Psalm 75; the LORD is speaking in verses 2-5.

When I select an appointed time,
it is I who judge with equity.
The earth and all who dwell in it melt;
it is I who have firmly set its pillars.
 I said to the boastful, “Do not boast,”
and to the wicked, “Do not lift up the horn;
do not lift up your horn on high;
do not speak with insolent pride.”

The Babe you worship this Christmas day is the coming Judge before whom all the world will be held accountable.  Those who do not know Him as Savior and LORD will be made to drink from the cup of God’s anger which is in His hand (Psalm 75:8; Revelation 14:10).  The psalmist made a contrast between himself and the wicked who will drink that wine of wrath.  Can you say the words of the psalmist?  If so, pray Psalm 75:9-10 as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).  If you cannot, ask Christ Jesus to be your Immanuel.

“LORD, as for me, I will declare it forever;

 I will sing praises to You, God of Jacob.

Cut off all the horns of the wicked,

but lift up the horns of the righteous.

Make ________ and me righteous.

Because of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 74 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 74.

Meditate on verses 1 and 12.

O God, why have You rejected us forever?

Why does Your anger smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?

Yet God is my king from of old,

Who works deeds of deliverance in the midst of the earth.

Asaph and the Israelites felt rejected by God.  The enemy had damaged everything within the sanctuary of the LORD (Psalm 74:3).  Asaph used words like smashed, burned, and defiled to describe what the adversary had done.

Asaph did two things in the midst of his depressing situation.  He remembered God’s faithfulness in the past, and He asked God to remember what the enemy did to His people (Psalm 74:12-18).

Based on recent messages I have received, there are many in the midst of grievous circumstances this Christmas.  You or someone you love may feel smashed by the enemy.  Please recall the blessings and faithfulness of God.  You may want to start with one of Asaph’s recollections: “You have made summer and winter” (Psalm 74:17).  Then cry to God for deliverance.

Pray Psalm 74:18-23 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“Remember this, O LORD, that the enemy has reviled,

 and a foolish people has spurned Your name.

 Do not deliver the soul of Your turtledove, __________, and me to the wild beast;

do not forget the life of Your afflicted forever.

Consider the covenant,

for the dark places of the land are full of the habitations of violence. 

Let not the oppressed return dishonored;

 let the afflicted and needy praise Your name. 

Arise, O God, and plead Your own cause;

 remember how the foolish man reproaches You all day long.

 Do not forget the voice of Your adversaries,

the uproar of those who rise against You which ascends continually.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 73 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 73.

Meditate on verses 16 and 17.

When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight;

 until I came into the sanctuary of God, then I perceived their end.

The psalmist, Asaph, described a troubling situation in Psalm 73.  He observed the prosperity of the wicked and envied the arrogant (v. 3).  The wicked seemed to always be at ease while he was stricken all day long, even though he had kept his heart pure and his hands innocent (vs. 12-14).  Nothing made sense until Asaph came into the sanctuary of the LORD, then he understood these truths about the wicked (v.17):

            *God set them in slippery places (v. 18).

            *God cast them down to destruction (v. 18).

            *They are destroyed in a moment (v. 19).

            *They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors (v. 19).

            *The LORD will despise their form (v. 20).

Prior to gaining God’s perspective, Asaph was embittered and senseless; he was like a beast before the LORD (Psalm 73:21-22).  Being in God’s presence gave Asaph insight and understanding into what was going on around him.

Does the news and what is going on around you make you crazy?  Are there people and things in your life that make no sense?  You need time-out with your LORD.  Reading the Bible and talking to God will give you His perspective on the situation and bring you peace.

Pray Psalm 73:23-28 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, thank You that ________ and I are continually with You!

Take hold of our right hands. 

Guide us with Your counsel,

and afterward receive us to glory.

Whom have we in heaven but You?

And besides You, we desire nothing on earth.

Our flesh and our hearts may fail,

but God, be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever.

Do not let _________ be far from You; do not let them be unfaithful to You.

The nearness of You is our good; LORD God, we make You our refuge.

Let us tell of Your works.

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 72 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 72.

Meditate on verse 17.

May his name endure forever;

may his name increase as long as the sun shines,

 and let men bless themselves by him;

 let all nations call him blessed.

Psalm 72 is a prayer King David prayed for his son, King Solomon.  It is also a Messianic Psalm.  Reread it and capitalize the h of he.  Do you read words that make you think of Jesus?

May He judge Your people with righteousness

 and Your afflicted with justice.

May He vindicate the afflicted of the people,

save the children, and crush the oppressor.

Let them fear You while the sun endures,

 and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 

May He come down like rain upon the mown grass,

 like showers that water the earth. 

In His days, may the righteous flourish

 and abundance of peace till the moon is no more. 

May He also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 

Let the nomads of the desert bow before Him

 and His enemies lick the dust.

 And let all kings bow down before Him, all nations serve Him.

May His name endure forever;

 may His name increase as long as the sun shines,

and let men bless themselves by Him.

 Let all nations call Him blessed. 

—Psalm 72:2-9, 11, 17

When Messiah came, He brought righteousness and peace to all who receive Him.  When He comes again, righteousness and peace will reign to the ends of the earth. “Come quickly, LORD Jesus!”

Pray the words of Psalm 72 for Christ to return to earth soon.  Pray Psalm 72:18-20 and ask God to work wonders in your life and in the lives of those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

Blessed be You, the LORD God, the God of Israel,

Who alone works wonders—

LORD, work wonders for ________ and me.

And blessed be Your glorious name forever;

and may the whole earth be filled with Your glory.

Amen and Amen.

Psalm 71 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read and pray Psalm 71.  The entire psalm is a prayer.

Meditate on verses 5 and 6.

For You are my hope;

O LORD God, You are my confidence from my youth.

 By You, I have been sustained from my birth;

You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;

my praise is continually of You.

Psalm 71 was part of my Bible reading the day our granddaughter was born; I wrote a note about it in my Bible.  God preplanned a reading from Psalm 71 to be written into the devotional book I use months before He started weaving my granddaughter together inside her mama.  He knew the date of her birth, and He knew I would be following that devotional plan.  The LORD was pleased that I noticed His involvement in our lives.

The LORD is constantly involved like that in your life; He has been even before He took you from your mother’s womb (Psalm 71:6).  He wants you to notice and pay attention to Him.  The psalmist recognized what God had done and was doing in his life.  Because of that knowledge, he hoped in the LORD continually and praised Him more and more, even in the midst of troubling and distressful times (Psalm 71:14, 20).

Reread Psalm 71 and pray it specifically over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).  Here are verses 1 and 2 to get you started:

“In You, O LORD, ________ and I have taken refuge;

 let us never be ashamed.

 In Your righteousness deliver us and rescue us.

  Incline Your ear to us and save us…

In Your name, Jesus~”

Psalm 70 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 70.

Meditate on verse 4.

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You,

and let those who love Your salvation say continually,

 “Let God be magnified.”

David came to God with a list of needs in Psalm 70:

1.     Hurry and deliver me (v. 1).

2.     Hurry and help me (v. 1).

3.     Let those be ashamed and humiliated who seek my life (v. 2).

4.     Let those be turned back and dishonored who delight in my hurt (v. 2).

5.     Let those be turned back because of their shame who say, “Aha, aha!”

(v. 3).

Let David’s honesty with the LORD encourage you as you make your requests known to God. 

David also made a list of behaviors indicative of a person who seeks God and loves His salvation:

1.     They rejoice (v. 4).

2.     They are glad (v. 4).

3.     They say continually, “Let God be magnified” (v. 4).

When David wrote this Psalm, he was not glad and rejoicing; he was afflicted and needy.  He sought the God of his salvation to be his deliverer and helper (Psalm 70:5).

Even though you seek and love the LORD, there will still be days, months, and perhaps years when you need the LORD to not delay in delivering you from what is threatening to devour you.  You can be honest with Him about what you need.

Pray Psalm 70:5 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, ________ and I are afflicted and needy;

hasten to us, O God!

You are our help and our deliverer;

O LORD, do not delay!

For the sake of Your name, Jesus~”

 

Psalm 69 ~ Praying God's Word

Please read Psalm 69.

Meditate on verses 1-3.

Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life.

  I have sunk in deep mire, and there is no foothold;

 I have come into deep waters, and a flood overflows me.

 I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;

 my eyes fail while I wait for my God.

David was in a low, depressed place when he wrote this psalm.  If you or someone you love are in a similar state, Psalm 69 can help express difficult thoughts and feelings. 

David was transparent and real with the LORD.  People might have accused him of being overly dramatic, but God listened and did not despise him when he said things like: “those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head” (Psalm 69:4, 33). 

It is reassuring to know that even David, the giant slayer and the man after God’s own heart, had times of depression and despair.  It is also important to know he had an intimately honest relationship with his Savior who never deserted him at any time in his life.

Cry out to the LORD like David did on behalf of yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).  Pray Psalm 69:13-17.

“My prayer for ________ and me is to You, O LORD.

O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness,

 answer us with Your saving truth.

Deliver us from the mire and do not let us sink.

May we be delivered from our foes and from the deep waters.

May the flood of water not overflow us nor the deep swallow us up,

 nor the pit shut its mouth on us. 

Answer us, O LORD, for Your lovingkindness is good.

According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to us,

and do not hide Your face from your servants,

 for we are in distress; answer us quickly.

In Your name, Jesus~”