Praying the Psalms

Have you ever read a prayer book? That might sound a little boring, but stop a minute and think. Have you read Psalms in the Bible? If so, then you’ve read a prayer book! The book of Psalms has both songs and prayers. (And sometimes a psalm is both a song and a prayer at the same time!) When you are learning how to pray, the book of Psalms can be a great textbook. If you aren’t sure how, take a look at today’s verses for reading the Bible with Joni and Ken. Today we read Psalm 31. It starts:

“Lord, I have come to you for safety. Don’t let me ever be put to shame. Save me, because you do what is right. Pay attention to me. Come quickly to help me. Be the rock I go to for safety. Be the strong fort that saves me. You are my rock and my fort. Lead me and guide me for the honor of your name. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me. You are my place of safety. Into your hands I commit my very life. Lord, set me free. You are my faithful God” (NIrV).

Now that is a prayer you can pray! When you are scared or when you are tempted to disobey, these words can be just the right thing to say. As you read the Psalms, mark other prayers that you can pray. If you do, you will find that Psalms isn’t just a prayer book, it is your prayer book!