psalm 20

Psalm 20 (NRSV)
6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
he will answer him from his holy heaven
with mighty victories by his right hand.
7 Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses,
but our pride is in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They will collapse and fall,
but we shall rise and stand upright.
9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
answer us when we call.a
[1]

Lord,
You can bet your life (as though you, the Lord God could “bet your life”) that I want to believe the prayer of the poet, “I know that the Lord will help his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories by his right hand.”

Lord, I’m in a new place in life trying to do a new thing in a new way and I need all the help that I can get. You know the reasons for my doubts. I have experienced unanswered prayer. My nephews are dead and family members have experienced what must be glimpses of hell. While you did not protect us from evil, you walked through the torments of evil with us and saw us through.

Still I believe that you help your people, those who call on you. As I engage my new assignment, I ask for your help. I ask for your wisdom and energy so that the work of your kingdom might be advanced. I believe that you have a “victory” that will contribute to the mission of your kingdom. I believe that you will answer my prayer.

Jesus said, “ask and you will receive.” I believe. Let it be so.

Lord, I pray for my country. We have “horses and chariots” like no other in the world and still the headlines scream that we are on the verge of disaster, crumbling from the inner rot of greed and corruption. Have mercy O Lord, have mercy.

The poet says that “they will collapse and fall.” I pray that the “they” is not “we”.

Lord, answer our prayers.

PERSONAL PRAYERS:
Place your personal mission before God and ask for the victory that God would give.
Pray for out nation.
Name 5 things for which you are grateful and say “Thank you” to God.

In Christ’s name,
Amen
a Gk: Heb give victory, O Lord; let the King answer us when we call

[1] The Holy Bible : New Revised Standard Version. Nashville : Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989