Prayer based on Psalm 34

I am here to praise You, Lord — for Your greatness, your goodness, Your faithfulness in answering.

Whether I see things going well, or I feel fearful about what I see happening, my heart is set on praising You, because of who You are.

As I come to You, You save me and I sense Your angels standing guard. You are looking out for those who want to do right by You, and listening out for us when we cry for help.

At a time of anxiety with no end in sight, we thank You that You are our sure rescuer, and close comfort when we need it. We look to You, gracious Lord, for your protection, for You to “protect our bones” and be our refuge.

We worship You as those in awe of You, Your greatness, Your power, Your gracious provision and watchful defence of us. Yes, You are good and Your purposes are all beneficial. Thank You for the joy we have in You that sustains us. Thank you that we have no need to find others to blame, and we can choose not to entertain gossip.

May we play our part as active peacemakers, those who cancel the fear and hopelessness sown by the enemy, in the opposite spirit of praise and trust in You.

We exalt Your name and praise You for Jesus our Saviour and Lord. Amen

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Psalm 34 NLT

1 I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
he saved me from all my troubles.
7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard;
he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Fear the Lord, you his godly people,
for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,
but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, and listen to me,
and I will teach you to fear the Lord.
12 Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;
his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;
he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!
21 Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation