Praying to Live the Grace Filled Life

Day 24:  Psalms 15:1-5

                Psalm 15:1 Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle, who may dwell in Your holy hill?

                O Triune God, You created us to have perfect fellowship with You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to walk in true righteousness, holiness, truth, and godly love. But due to our sin, we could not find our way back to You. So You pursued us and promised to save us. You sent Your Son to live a perfect life and save us from the penalty, power, and one day the very presence of sin from our lives. As we wait for the day of final glorification, You give us pictures of what a godly life looks like. As we trust in Your mercy, forgiveness, and renewing power, we begin to see this model of a godly life lived out in our lives and in others who also put their trust in You.

Lord, I need You. I long to be with You, yet so often I am distracted by my sinful flesh and the glitter of the world. Lord, forgive me; Lord, help me and draw me nearer to You. Help me set aside the sin that so easily trips me up and run with endurance this race that is set before me and fix my eyes on Jesus Christ who has saved me and strengthens me (Hebrews 12:1-2). You command me to abide in You. Give me the grace, the power to do what You command.

John 15:1 – 9 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.  2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

                Psalm 15:2 He who walks uprightly and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart.

                16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:16-17) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:8-10)

Lord, You are my righteousness, help me walk uprightly. Help me to want righteousness and to do it (Phil 2: 12 & 13). Help me be honest with You, with myself, and with others (Psalm 51:6; Luke 8: 15).

                Psalm 15:3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.

                Lord, put a guard over my lips (Psalm 141: 3). Let me be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1: 19). Help me be a good neighbor (Proverbs 14: 21). Please help me watch what I say so that my words are good for building up and not for tearing down (Ephesians 4: 29).  Lord, help me not speak evil or join in with others when they speak evil of friends, family, and others. Help me not pass on an evil report.

                Psalm 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but He honors those who fear the Lord. He who swears to his own hurt and does not change.

                Lord, help me see evil for what it is and respond by trusting You. Let me bless those who bless You. Let me keep my word and faithfully follow You, even when it is hard to do so.

                Psalm 15:5 He who does not put out his money in usury nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

                Lord, help me use all the money You have given me for Your glory. Help me not turn against innocent people, but to help them in any way You allow me to help. Help me to be faithful and to help others be faithful to You also.

In Jesus’ name, Amen