Thrive: A Journey Through the PsalmsSample

Praying the Scripture

Psalm 103:2

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 

I remember the occasion well, etched in fact upon my memory. Tehillah Toronto was an incredible young adults worship experience, running some years just after the turn of the millennial. Monday evenings would draw masses of young adults, sometimes driving from three hours away.

As I was entering the facility early, vocal prayer was wafting from the pre-meeting Prayer Room. Pastor Hughie was the pastor of Tehillah Toronto. His deep, distinctive voice called out and led the group to pray ever more intensely and fervently. Crying out, he exclaimed, "Bless the Lord, O my soul!! "… "I will awaken my soul once more, `Bless the Lord, bless the very LORD, O my soul "… "who redeems our lives from the pit—`Drag people out of the pit of sin tonight!'" This prayer time was riveting and powerful, to say the least. 

Daily Challenge: 

Did you know that you too can pray aloud the scriptures? We are going to practice this together today. Pray these verses aloud and awaken your soul. Elaborate on them, paying attention to each word. 

• Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits (vs. 2) 
• Thank you, God, for forgiving all of my sins!  (vs. 3) All of my sin. All of my shame. All, all of it! 
•  Thank you, God, for healing ALL of my diseases. (vs 3b) We see here the God who heals, and divine healing, as integral parts of Christianity. We lean into this and pray for healing today.  
• Thank you, God, for redeeming my life and freeing me from the sin of______ (vs. 4). Fill in the blank vocalizing what pit of sin that God has lifted you from.
• Thank you, God, for the love and compassion you have shown me in my life!  (vs 4b)  Imagine today; this crown lowered unto your head.  
•  Thank you, God, for satisfying my desires with good things and renewing my strength! (Vs. 5) The fifth one is interesting. "who satisfies your desires with good things" (v.5). This benefit then twists and adds the B part: "so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (v.5b). Envisioned here is the yearly molt of the eagle, where new feathers, freshness, and strength to the eagle, which leaves the molting perch to soar in new strength.