Praying the Psalms

Many in the Jewish and Christian traditions consider the Psalms as the prayer book of the Bible. This collection of sung prayers speaks to many different human situations and emotions from lament, despair, and confession to hope and praise. Perhaps they assure us that nothing in our lives is beyond God’s power of restoration.

One way to meditate is to read the Psalms. They show us that prayer can be filled with awe for God’s wonder, agony over injustice in the world, pleas for healing, as well as frustration over God’s seeming absence. They invite us to share our whole being with God.

Linger over a Psalm. Is there a particular verse that is meaningful to your life today? Read it aloud over and over, emphasizing different words. Pray for yourself and others from it.

For some, using an order for guidance is helpful. The following is from The Book of Common Prayer, 1662.