All Weekly Sharpening Posts

November 10, 2022

Psalm 86

Psalm 86 is a prayer of David, and for the last five months, I’ve made the first 13 verses my daily prayer.  I start my morning devotional with it and have found that it centers me and reminds me of how much I need God in every aspect of my life.  It’s a humbling and empowering prayer that includes thanksgiving, praise, forgiveness and requests.  If you find prayer difficult or don’t have a framework to help you pray, I encourage you to spend time praying through Psalm 86.  Meditate on each verse and make David’s words your own.  Do it in the morning and reflect on it throughout the day.

Doing so has been a blessing, and I’m a better man for it.

Psalm 86:1-13

¹ Hear me, Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
² Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;
save your servant who trusts in you.
You are my God; ³ have mercy on me, Lord,
for I call to you all day long.
⁴ Bring joy to your servant, Lord,
for I put my trust in you.

⁵ You, Lord, are forgiving and good,
abounding in love to all who call to you.
⁶ Hear my prayer, Lord;
listen to my cry for mercy.
⁷ When I am in distress, I call to you,
because you answer me.

⁸ Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;
no deeds can compare with yours.
⁹ All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name.
¹⁰ For you are great and do marvelous deeds;
you alone are God.

¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord,
that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
I will glorify your name forever.
¹³ For great is your love toward me;
you have delivered me from the depths,
from the realm of the dead.