Psalm 40 Prayer

 

Restoring God,

We your people, we your Church, wait patiently for you as we call out to you for renewal and revival.  You are the one who can lift us out of the slimy pit of our circumstances.  You are the one who sets our feet on a firm place to stand and puts a new song of praise in our mouths.  We pray that your Church would have spiritual eyes focused on You alone so that we don't look to the proud ways of the world or the false gods of government, media, education, arts & entertainment, or business.  Purify your church from her lukewarm-ness, her inward focus, her pollution and corruption, and her desire to be "cool" when your word says we should be in the world but not of it.  By your Spirit, radically strike pastors and other church leaders who have strayed from you with a firm conviction of their sin and a desire to turn fully back to you.  By your Spirit, radically cause church members to rise up and pray for their leaders and for the world. You do not desire sacrifice and offerings from us except for willing hearts that know your will and proclaim your salvation. Without you, God, we are poor and needy; do not delay to be our help and our deliverer.  May those who want to curtail the ministry of your Church and Kingdom be turned back in disgrace, but may those who want your Kingdom to prevail always say, "The Lord is Great!"  In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen!

Psalm 40

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 

I waited patiently for the Lord;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

    out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

    and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

    and put their trust in him.

4 

Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 

Many, Lord my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare.

6 

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

    but my ears you have opened—

    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

    it is written about me in the scroll.

8 

I desire to do your will, my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

9 

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

    I do not seal my lips, Lord,

    as you know.

10 

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

    from the great assembly.

11 

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12 

For troubles without number surround me;

    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

    and my heart fails within me.

13 

Be pleased to save me, Lord;

    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 

May all who want to take my life

    be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

    be turned back in disgrace.

15 

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

    be appalled at their own shame.

16 

But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

    “The Lord is great!”

17 

But as for me, I am poor and needy;

    may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    you are my God, do not delay.