Psalm 4
January 26, 2025
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Forgive us for not always saying thank you when you answer our prayers. Sometimes it’s easy to pray, see a blessing, and move on… but like David, help us to say, “You have given me relief when I was in distress.”
Your faithfulness is not forgotten, LORD, but help us to remember it when present distress fills our lives.
Lord, the people of this congregation are facing distresses of various kinds — we are sick, we feel weak, we are in pain, we are grieving, and some of us carry the same burden David is carrying here — the burden of shame.
We do not feel honorable, we feel ashamed.
Lord, help us not seek after lies to find relief, nor to go after Gods that cannot speak nor hear.
Help us not find relief in vain, empty words, empty cliches that ultimately bring no lasting comfort. You, Lord, are the God of comfort and you have set apart those who seek you for yourself.
And you, amazingly, always hear and answer when we call to you.
Lord, we feel the weight of the unjust world around us — wicked prospering, the guilty going free, the innocent filled with shame, hypocrites are celebrated, while the godly are trodden underfoot.
Lord, as we see these things and feel these things — and you say it’s OK to be righteously angry, but do not sin.
Let not our anger at these things turn into sinful wrath and violence against our neighbor. Let us not doubt your goodness and presence. Let us not beat our chests and tell the world how much better we are, how much more we deserve.
Instead, let us pour out our hearts to you and be silent. Let us continue to offer right sacrifices to you of praise, a broken and contrite spirit, and a life of godliness. Let us put our trust in the LORD.
For many out there ask the question: Where will we find relief? Where will we find good, lasting, everlasting joy?
And LORD, we know the answer — our joy comes from when you shine on us with the light of your countenance.
Joy comes from when we behold the King in his glory, we hear your words, and watch your movements.
In sight of your glory, we have more joy than any lottery winner, more joy than any rich person, more joy than any hedonist seeking pleasure.
We have holy joy, pure joy that lasts.
Give us such joy this morning and reassure our hearts of your faithfulness.
LORD, in light of Monday’s inauguration, we pray once again for our country. We thank you for the peaceful transfer of power, we thank you for the legislative, judicial, and executive positions that have been filled.
And we pray now Lord for those who have filled those various positions, starting with President Trump.
Lord, we first and foremost pray that he would come to a saving knowledge of you if he hasn’t already. That you would cause the glory of Christ to shine on his heart and that he would lead our country not in accordance with party lines or pride, but in the Spirit you provide.
Lord, if not, give him abundant wisdom, help him to govern faithfully, wisely, and for the good of human flourishing. Help him to praise justice and curb the injustice we see in our country.
Lord, we ask the same for people like J.D. Vance, speaker Mike Johnson, and all the democrats, republicans, and independents who have filled various spots.
Lord, these are our new leaders … but they are not our God… they are nothing like our God…
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
The LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
The LORD hears when I call to him.
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we know and we pray these things,
And all God’s people said: Amen.