How to Pray the Psalms to Enliven Prayer Life

The Old Testament Book of Psalms was the ancient Israelite songbook. A hymnal of sorts. Did you know over one-third of the Old Testament is poetry? Poetry and the Psalms played an important role in the culture of Israel. Why? Because it was functional. The book of Psalms celebrate who God is and what He does in both the national and personal lives of the people. A psalm was a way to remember how God has acted in the past and ask Him to respond to a new similar situation. In many ways, they become prayers born on the wings of song. Christians, too, can learn to pray the Psalms and adopt this book as our prayer book for God.

Why Pray the Psalms

First, the Psalms can teach us how to pray. Other than the Lord’s Model prayer, there is no better place in the Bible to learn to pray than the book of Psalms. Like the Lord’s prayer, the Psalms can become a model not only of what to pray but how to pray.

Moreover, Psalms was written to celebrate God’s divine working in the lives of the nation and individuals. Therefore, you can find a Psalm relating to any experience or emotion you are currently going through. We often forget David and the other psalmists were people like us. They were real people with real emotions, real fears, and real problems. There is a psalm for every emotion and every experience, because there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). 

Also, Our Lord Jesus Christ and his disciples turned to the Psalms in prayer during times of distress. Jesus Christ’s last words on the cross were psalms. If Jesus, our Savior, can turn to the psalms to pray in the time of his greatest need, how could saints do any different? The disciples, at the time of Pentecost, when they received the Holy Spirit, were praying the psalms. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers to worship using psalms. Believers should follow our Lord’s example and pray the psalms, as well. 

How to pray the Psalms

Throughout Christianity, people have prayed the Lord’s Prayer word for word. That is fine, great even. Likewise, we can pray the Psalms word for word if we desire. This can be beneficial as we will learn God’s word. We will also see how God has been faithful in the past and will be faithful now. God never changes. By praying Scripture, especially the Psalms, word for word we are reminded of God’s faithfulness. Comfort and peace can be found in familiar words.

But, there is another way to pray the Psalms. Perhaps, a better way. Like using the model prayer, we can adapt Psalms to meet our needs. How do you do this? Well, it’s simple. You pick a psalm and read the first verse. Then you pray whatever comes to your mind using the language of that verse. Following that, you move on to the next verse and do the same thing. On and on until you finish the psalm or run out of time. It is that simple. And if you can’t think of anything after reading a particular verse, just move to the next one. 

Remember, prayer is talking with God, not just to God. It’s having a conversation with the most interesting, powerful, loving, Person in the world. You don’t have to respond after every sentence. Let God keep talking through the Psalm. But when a prayer is placed on your heart feel free to interject. God wants to have a relationship with you. That is the whole point of the gospel. God will save us from our sins, restore our relationship with Him, and lead us into His heavenly kingdom. He wants to hear from you, as much as He wants to talk to you.

Benefits of Praying the Psalms

 First, praying the Psalms helps us learn to pray. I’ll be honest, praying to God is a skill. We can learn and grow in prayer. Praying the Psalms helps us do that. It gives biblical, inspired language to our prayers. Our feelings are expressed with biblical language. 

Not only do we learn to pray, but also, we learn the Scriptures. When we pray the Psalms daily we will eventually repeat them. And when we personalize them, the phrase or verse tends to stick with us easier. We’ll find that throughout the day that phrase comes back to us. We become invited again to pray. We can pray throughout the day, without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Lastly, the greatest benefit is that we get to encounter God. King David wrote most of the Psalms. He was considered a man after God’s own heart. When we make the choice to pray the psalms we are choosing to become men and women after God’s own heart. Our relationship with God the Father is strengthened. In short, when we experience the Bible we will encounter God. That is a promise you can take to the bank.

An Example: Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

Lord, you have provided for all my needs. I know I can come to you to provide and protect me. So, I ask that you shepherd this blog. It’s yours. Do with it what you will. Use it to bring glory to you and provide for my needs.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

God, it has been a long and hard year. Refresh this world. I pray you give us rest and security, because we have had a trying time. Let us return to you. I pray also for the civil unrest in the United States. Our Father, let your peace come upon that. Bring the U.S. to a place of rest and stability. Restore the national soul.

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

Shepherd, I pray that as I go about my day you lead me on paths of righteousness. May I live well and may you get the credit. I pray for my friends and family, as they seek you, guide them on paths of righteousness. Lead them to the truth so that you will be praised and glorified through them.

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”

Heavenly Father, when I am surrounded by temptation show me the way out. Do not let Satan get a wedge of division between my family. You are with us, keep us united in love for you and each other.

“Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.”

Show me, God, any area of sin I need to work on. Help me to be proactive and not reactive. Remind, us that your judgment is a sign of your love. Bless us with your grace. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Almighty God, where sin abounds grace abounds all the more. When I stand in you, I stand in victory because you are victorious. You are my salvation. I praise you for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Forgive us. I give thanks that Your forgiveness, grace, and mercy know no bound. You pour your blessings on me. Truly, my cup overflows.

“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Father, it is through your goodness and love that I endure, that I can live abundantly. May my life be characterized by your love and goodness. May I become Christlike and be a light for you. I long for you. May you return quickly and soon. I have an eternal hope of living with you forever. Come quickly and make all things right. So, that your name may be blessed throughout all the world. Amen.

Conclusion

There you have it. Why you should pray the Psalms. How you can pray the Psalms. And the benefits of praying the Psalms. Plus, an example using Psalm 23. 

Now, it’s your turn. That’s right. Right now, before you finish this paragraph give it a go. Pick up your Bible or open the Bible app on your phone or tablet and choose a Psalm. Take 10 minutes to give it a try. Pray through the Psalm like I did in the example above. Whatever comes to mind talk with God through the Psalm. I’ll gladly wait.

Did you do that? If not, here is another chance. Go, do it now. Spending time with God is far more important than reading this. 

Now, Did you do it? Good. How did it go? Let me know how the experience was in the comments down below.