Desiring God's Will - Praying the Psalms

It is one thing to read a psalm; it is another to pray it. I think Psalm 119 often gets short changed because it is so long. Maybe we find it intimidating. Psalm 119 was the one of the first psalms I remember grabbing my heart in prayer, particularly for committing to God’s will. I’ve included a couple sections here, but I encourage you to look at the whole psalm (really!)

¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,

that I may obey your word.

¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;

do not hide your commands from me.

²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.

²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,

those who stray from your commands.

²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.

²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

²⁴ Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

³³ Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,

that I may follow it to the end.

³⁴ Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law

and obey it with all my heart.

³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.

³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word. ^a

³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,

for your laws are good.

⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!

In your righteousness preserve my life.