PrayerBits for Friday

PrayerBits

A bite sized devotional program
produced by the West Side Presbyterian Church

Friday

Scripture lesson: Psalm 80 A Psalm of Lament

Time to reflect: A large percentage of the Psalms are “Psalms of Lament.” These were formal petitions to God, presented in the Temple by people suffering in various ways. This Psalm is a Psalm of Lament of the People, when the King, representing the whole nation made an appeal in their behalf. It is important to recognize that these are requests. We don't always know what God's response might have been.

Moving Throughout the day: Pray in behalf of your country.

 Scripture:

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,
       you who lead Joseph like a flock;
       you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

  before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
       Awaken your might;
       come and save us.

 Restore us, O God;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  O LORD God Almighty,
       how long will your anger smolder
       against the prayers of your people?

  You have fed them with the bread of tears;
       you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.

  You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors,
       and our enemies mock us.

  Restore us, O God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.

  You brought a vine out of Egypt;
       you drove out the nations and planted it.

  You cleared the ground for it,
       and it took root and filled the land.

  The mountains were covered with its shade,
       the mighty cedars with its branches.

  It sent out its boughs to the Sea,
       its shoots as far as the River.

  Why have you broken down its walls
       so that all who pass by pick its grapes?

  Boars from the forest ravage it
       and the creatures of the field feed on it.

  Return to us, O God Almighty!
       Look down from heaven and see!
       Watch over this vine,

  the root your right hand has planted,
       the son you have raised up for yourself.

  Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
       at your rebuke your people perish.

  Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
       the son of man you have raised up for yourself.

  Then we will not turn away from you;
       revive us, and we will call on your name.

  Restore us, O LORD God Almighty;
       make your face shine upon us,
       that we may be saved.