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(Monday) Psalm 115: Praying with Praise

How do the idols that others worship compare to the God that Israel worships (v. 1-8)?

Why should Israel (and we) trust the Lord (v. 9-11)?

Who will the Lord bless, and how (v. 12-15)?

For what have you trusted God alone to provide? How did God prove to be your help and shield?

Prayer Focus: Praise God for his provision, and ask him to help you turn away from modern-day idols

Family Devotional: Read verses 3-9. What are some “idols” in this world you trust instead of God to provide for you? How does this psalm describe them? How does it describe God?

(Tuesday) Psalm 118: Praying God’s Love

What double and triple repetitions do you see in this psalm? What are they emphasizing?

What has the Lord done for the king and the people in his love (v. 5-21)?

What is the significance of the capstone (v. 22) which is being celebrated on this day (v. 23)? How is Jesus like this capstone?

How has God shown his love to you by giving you help, strength, and salvation?

Prayer Focus: Praise God for the day he has made (v. 24)

Family Devotional: Read verses 22-24. The early church sang this psalm, and used the rejected stone as a picture of Jesus. How was Jesus rejected? How did he become the capstone of the world? How does he want you to follow his example?

(Wednesday) Psalm 119: Praying for God’s Wisdom

What are the consequences of not knowing or following God’s word (v. 5-6, 9-11, 21-22)?

What benefits come from prayer and meditation (v. 32-40)?

What is God’s word contrasted with (v. 113, 123, 143, 161)?

How faithful are you in studying and meditating on God’s word? How is your prayer and life improved with a greater understanding of Scripture?

Prayer Focus: Pray for greater discipline and joy in studying God’s word

Family Devotional: 32-40. How does God’s word help us? Can you think of a specific verse that would apply to your family’s life right now? Pray through it together.

(Thursday) Psalm 121: Praying with Assurance

What words and phrases are repeated in this psalm?

How does the second verse in each pair (v. 2,4,6,8) expand on the theme of the first verse (1,3,5,7)?

What kind of help does God provide for his people on their journey?

All of us have experienced harm. How do we reconcile this with verses 6-7?

Prayer Focus: Thank God for his constant sovereign care

Family Devotional: Read verses 1-4. Has there been a time in your family’s life when it felt like God was asleep? How might he have been awake and working without you knowing about it?

(Friday) Psalm 122: Praying with Peace

What was it like for these worshipers to go to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem (Mt Zion)?

Describe the city of Jerusalem (v. 3-5).

What does the psalmist pray to be given to the city (v. 6-9)?

The psalmist prays for God’s shalom (peace, wholeness, justice – like the Hawaiian idea of pono) to rule over the city. What would be different if his shalom ruled over your neighborhood?

Prayer Focus: Pray for God’s shalom in your family and city

Family Devotional: Read verses 6-8. Where does there need to be more of God’s peace in your neighborhood or city? Pray as a family for God’s peace to rule.