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23 Dec 25
Devotions

Rev Gav

Acrostic

A way to pray that engages our hearts and minds.

Psalm 25

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right
and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

For your name’s sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
Who are they who fear the Lord?
He will teach them the way that they should choose.

They will abide in prosperity,
and their children shall possess the land.
The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
Relieve the troubles of my heart,
and bring me out of my distress.
Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.

Consider how many are my foes
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
O guard my life and deliver me;
do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.

Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all its troubles.

Reflect

Psalm 25 is often read or recited during the season of Advent because of its themes of waiting and redemption, and in the original Hebrew, each verse begins with a successive letter of the alphabet (acrostic) symbolising the completeness of God’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy.

The psalmist recognises that God is God and we are humans, and that everything we need comes from God — for example, protection, deliverance, freedom, forgiveness, friendship, relief, teaching, and redemption. The psalm is a reminder that we cannot do this thing called ‘life’ in our own strength.

I have heard preachers tell congregations that their prayers should not always be about asking for stuff, but there is no harm in asking!

Today, I would like you to pray an acrostic prayer using words beginning with each letter of the English alphabet. The prayer is in three sections and it is a way of praying that forces us to think about how and what to pray. You might find some words difficult and some easy. I will kick things off for you.

Pray for your enemies

Allow your love to touch the hearts of those that promote war and lead them toward peace and understanding.

Bless

Consider

Deepen

Encourage

Finish

Guard

Heal

Pray for Others

Ignite

Justify

Kindle

Lead

Magnify

Nourish

Open

Pardon

Quell

Pray for Yourself

Remember

Safeguard

Teach

Unify

Validate

Waken

Xpand

Zestify

Pray

Holy God
Thank you that I have
the freedom to pray.
Hear my prayers today,
that I might draw
closer to you
and be transformed
by your love.

Prayed 8 times.
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