PrayerBits for Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 148

Time to reflect: The entire universe should be praising God. If you were to list the component parts of the universe, what would you name? “Praise the Lord all you Quarks” “Praise the Lord all you synapses” “Praise the Lord all the Social Structures of the world” -- well maybe the list in the Psalm is good enough...

Moving Throughout the day: Since inanimate objects can only praise God through their mere existence, pray a prayer of praise in behalf of the universe.

Scripture:

Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD from the heavens,
praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.

Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.

He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and maidens,
old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

He has raised up for his people a horn,
the praise of all his saints,
of Israel, the people close to his heart.
Praise the LORD.

PrayerBits for Thursday

Scripture lesson: Isaiah 63:7-9 “... all that the Lord has done for us”

Time to reflect: We can see God's willingness to stay with Israel through every insult, every act of disobedience, every wrong turn. This should help us to understand that similarly God will not give up on us.

Moving through the day: Thank God for this steadfastness.

Scripture:

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the LORD has done for us—
yes, the many good things he has done
for the house of Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

He said, "Surely they are my people,
sons who will not be false to me";
and so he became their Savior.

In all their distress he too was distressed,
and the angel of his presence saved them.
In his love and mercy he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them
all the days of old.