May practice
Praying the Psalms
Pray the words of a Psalm back to God. Let Scripture set the agenda of your prayer instead of recycling the same phrases.
The Psalms were inspired to be spoken to God. When prayer feels stuck, start with a Psalm and turn each line into your own conversation with the Father.
How to do it
- Pick a Psalm Use Psalms of the Day: take today’s date, then add 30 repeatedly to get five options (for the 5th: Psalms 5, 35, 65, 95, 125). Scan them for half a minute. Pray through the one that best fits your heart today.
- Read a line, pray a line Read a phrase. Talk to God about it in your own words. Praise, confess, ask, remember. Then move to the next phrase. Do not rush.
- Stay personal Connect the Psalm to your actual life: marriage, work, fear, gratitude, sin, hope. The goal is communion, not finishing the chapter.
Example with Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd.” Father, you lead me. I am not on my own today.
“I shall not want.” Provide what I need. Free me from grasping for what I do not.
“He restores my soul.” I am tired and thin. Restore me. I bring you the places that feel depleted.
“Even though I walk through the valley…” You know the hard place I am in. Stay with me. I will not pretend I am fearless.
Practical how-to adapted from Donald S. Whitney / Crossway. See “How to Pray through the Psalms” and Whitney’s book Praying the Bible (Crossway).