Prayer for Illumination
Father, may your Spirit give me a heart of wisdom, so that, with the eyes of my heart being enlightened, I might know the hope to which Christ has called me, and the riches of His glorious inheritance among His people, and the greatness of His power for those who believe. Amen
Scripture: Psalm 67
This psalm actually begins where most prayers end: with a benediction. The psalm reflects the blessing that the Aaronic priests were to pronounce on Israel in Numbers 6:24-26. The theme of the psalm is blessing. God desires to bless His people and He wants to bless you today.
Using the ACTS model of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, read through Psalm 67 and then pray the following:
Adoration
Look for anything that tells you what God is like or points to His character and give Him praise.
“Father, I praise you that you are gracious and the source all blessings” (67:1, 6-7).
“Father, I praise you that you have the power to save your people” (67:2).
“Father, I praise you that you are worthy of praise and awe” (67:4, 7).
“Father, I praise you that you are the source of gladness and joy and the righteous judge of the nations” (67:4).
“Father, I praise you that you are my faithful provider” (67:6).
For a meditation Video on praying Psalm 67, use this:
Confession
As you acknowledge who God is and adore Him for all that He is, confession is a natural consequence. This is a moment of introspection as you ask God to search your heart for areas that displease Him.
The Psalmist has confidence in God’s sovereign rule over all things, and he believes God will give generously to his people, as seen in vv. 6-7. If we’re honest, we have moments of doubt – whether in God’s sovereign care or in His generosity and His goodness toward His people. Be specific, and confess your doubts to God.
“Lord, I confess that I have not made your way known as I should.”
“Lord, I repent of those times I have doubted your……”
Thanksgiving
This is a time to express gratitude for what God has done and for who He is. Allow the Scripture you have read to feed your thanksgiving.
In vv. 1, 6-7, God blesses His people. Offer up your words of thankfulness. Mention specific blessings you have received from God and thank Him for the favor He shows to His people.
One of the ways that God has made His face to shine upon His people is through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is the radiance of the glory of God (Heb. 1:3). Express your thankfulness for Jesus the Son.
Like the request of Psalm 67:2, thank God that His saving power has been made known among all nations. Thank Him that we have heard the good news of God's plans for the world in Jesus Christ.
Supplication
In this moment, pray for yourself and others that you will be able to put into practice what you have read and heard.
Ask God, that all nations and people groups would hear of God’s saving power, and that they would hear the good news of Jesus Christ.
Ask God specifically to raise up more laborers to faithfully share the gospel in places that have never heard of Jesus.
Ask God for people in every nation and people group to respond to the gospel message with faith, that they would worship God with gladness and sing for joy at what He’s done for us in Jesus.
For more information and specific ways to pray for unreached people groups, see the Joshua Project. This is a Christian organization that aims to help spread the gospel and increase awareness of unreached people groups around the world (see: https://joshuaproject.net/).
Hymn of Reflection
O God, show us Your mercy, and bless us in Your grace; O cause to shine upon us the brightness of Your face, so that Your way most holy o'er all the earth be known, and unto every people Your saving grace be shown. O let the peoples praise You; yes, all the peoples praise! Let nations now be joyful, their song of thanks now raise, for You will judge the people in truth and righteousness, and by Your gracious guidance all peoples shall be blest. O let the peoples praise You; yes, all the peoples praise! O come, sing forth His glory and fame through endless days; the earth shall give her produce; the Lord His land shall bless, the ends of earth shall fear Him and shall His name confess.
Closing Prayer
Father, I pray that you would you bless us and keep us. I pray that you would cause face to shine upon us, and be gracious unto us. Lord, lift up your countenance upon us, and give us peace, this day and forever more. Amen.
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