“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
I learned awhile back that Psalm 145 would have been said daily as a “Praise” blessing. Prayer is so powerful. It does not matter if you say a lengthy formal prayer or call out asking “Why?” Prayer changes the atmosphere and changes your perspective. Question is, how do you perceive your prayer?
I stopped to think about my respect for the Lord when a friend quoted Frost’s poem yesterday “Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold.” later in the poem it says “Nothing gold can stay.” We can decipher these words and extract an intended meaning but I was thinking of them after this particular conversation as it relates to my prayer life. Certainly in the natural cycle there is fading that occurs. But now is not the time for any of us to fade away. And, prayer is the gold that can stay. Do I praise with reverence as expressed in Psalm 145? And more importantly, will my new level of prayer remain after we move beyond this crisis?
I need to see praising as essential and more valuable than gold. God is listening. He hears my heart cry. I encourage you to see the power we have in prayer. Change the atmosphere with good, destroy what is trying to destroy. Call out in praise as written in Psalm 145. The Message version is below.
Maybe, Frost might have been thinking of forsythia. First bloom of spring, then turning to lush green. I want to keep this imagery not as the poet intended. To remind me of the blessing I have to praise my God everyday!
Just two girls in the woods for ONE in Praise, our gold that never fades!
and I’ll bless your name into eternity.
and keep it up from now to eternity.
There are no boundaries to his greatness.
each one tells stories of your mighty acts.
I compose songs on your wonders.
I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.
your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.
not quick to anger, is rich in love.
everything he does is suffused with grace.
your holy people bless you.
they exclaim over your splendor,
the lavish splendor of your kingdom.
you never get voted out of office.
and is gracious in everything he does.
gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.
you give them their meals on time.
you lavish your favor on all creatures.
the trademark on all his works is love.
for all who pray and mean it.
hears them call out, and saves them.
but it’s all over for those who don’t.
Let everything living bless him,
bless his holy name from now to eternity!
